Nanosecond duration pulsed electric field together with formic acid triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis in...

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Microbiology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Conventional antifungal treatments for candidiasis exhibit significant side effects and face increasing drug resistance from Candida yeasts.
• Multidrug resistance necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies, including alternative or complementary approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of nanosecond pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment, alone and in combination with formic acid, in inducing apoptosis in various Candida yeast species.
• To evaluate PEF's potential as an alternative or adjunct therapy for candidiasis, aiming to overcome drug resistance and minimize side effects.

Main Methods:

• Application of nanosecond range pulsed electric field (PEF) to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida lusitaniae, and Candida guilliermondii.
• Supplementation of PEF treatment with formic acid (0.05% final concentration).
• Analysis of yeast cell death markers, including DNA strand breaks, metacaspase activation, and phosphatidylserine externalization.

Main Results:

• Nanosecond PEF treatment successfully induced apoptosis in both susceptible (S. cerevisiae) and drug-resistant (C. lusitaniae, C. guilliermondii) yeast strains.
• Combining PEF with 0.05% formic acid significantly enhanced yeast inactivation and apoptosis induction.
• Apoptotic phenotypes, characterized by DNA strand breaks and phosphatidylserine externalization, were observed at relatively low PEF parameters (30 kV/cm × 250 ns × 50 pulses).
• Optimal results, with over 60% apoptotic yeast cells, were achieved using 30 kV/cm × 750 ns × 50 pulses combined with 0.05% formic acid.

Conclusions:

• Nanosecond PEF, particularly when combined with formic acid, is an effective method for inducing programmed cell death in diverse yeast species.
• This approach presents a viable non-toxic alternative or complementary strategy to conventional antifungal therapies for candidiasis.
• The findings support the development of novel, less toxic protocols for managing yeast infections and reducing associated tissue inflammation.