AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, August 25, 2003
Staff Medical Writers

"Although drug therapy for AIDS is available, problems such as side effects associated with drug therapy and the appearance of resistant HIV strains have arisen," scientists in Japan explained. "Therefore, therapies based on new principles other than drug treatment are required."

In a study conducted by M. Tominaga and coauthors at Kumamoto University, "the effect of electrical stimulation on HIV-1(LAI) chronically infected HeLa (P6 HeLa/HIV-1(LAI) cells cultured on an electrode surface was examined."

"The results indicated that sensitivity to electrical stimulation was much higher in P6 HeLa/HIV-1(LAI) cells than in uninfected p6 HeLa cells," they reported. "When electrical stimulation was applied at 1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for 20 minutes, the proportion of damage to cell membrane among P6 HeLa/HIV-1(LAI) cells, as evaluated by Trypan blue staining, was approximately four times higher than that for uninfected P6 HeLa cells."

"Furthermore, in comparison with uninfected P6 HeLa cells, the proliferation of P6 HeLa/HIV-1(LAI) cells was significantly suppressed after electrical stimulation," study data showed.

"This technique was proven to selectively kill P6 HeLa/HIV-1(LAI) cells, when compared with uninfected control cells," the researchers concluded.

Tominaga and colleagues published their study in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (Effect of electrical stimulation on HIV-1-infected HeLa cells cultured on an electrode surface. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2003 Jun;61(5-6):447-50.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting M. Tominaga, Kumamoto University, College of Medical Science, 4-24-1 Kuhonji, Kumamoto 8620976, Japan.

The publisher of the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology can be contacted at: Springer-Verlag, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Adverse Drug Effects, AIDS and HIV and Biotechnology.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Tominaga M, Kumagai E, Harada S. "Effect of electrical stimulation on HIV-1-infected HeLa cells cultured on an electrode surface", Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2003 Jun;61(5-6):447-50.

PubMED Related articles Search

030825
AW030812

Copyright © 2003 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright © 1980,2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.