Cellular recovery from electroporation using synchronisation modulation as a rescue model for electrically injured cells.

Abstract

Electroporation of the plasma membrane resulting in a decrement in transmembrane potential is offered as a model in the study of the rescuing effects of the synchronisation modulation technique by electrically activating sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase. Living cells were first electrically damaged by a pulsed intensive electric field, resulting in cell membrane electroporation, ion leakages and membrane potential depolarisation. Their recovery rate in natural conditions was compared with that of cells in a synchronisation modulation electric field. Fluorescence readings were taken using confocal microscopy and a potentiometric dye. Significantly more rapid recovery was observed after synchronisation modulation, with cell membranes actually polarised to levels higher than the original resting potential, a feature never seen in naturally recovering cells.