Changes in the electrical properties at an early stage of mouse liver carcinogenesis

Abstract

The present investigation reports the changes in the electrical properties of hepatic tissue in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 5 MHz at an early stage of liver carcinogenesis using the four-pin electrode method. The hepatocarcinogenesis model was developed by intraperitoneal injection of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) to male Balb/c mice. Histopathological assessment revealed high-grade dysplasia in the liver of NDEA-treated animals. The ultrastructural investigations indicated the presence of large and clumped cells with inconspicuous cell boundaries. The treatment resulted in significant changes in the dielectric properties of the tissues. A decrease in tissue conductivity along with an increase in relative permittivity was observed. The biophysical changes correlated well with histoarchitectural and morphological changes. The alterations in architectural arrangement and membrane structure of cells may be responsible for the observed changes in the dielectric properties.

Microscale Biosensor Array Based on Flexible Polymeric Platform toward Lab-on-a-Needle: Real-Time Multiparameter Biomedical Assays on Curved Needle Surfaces

“…Specifically, we aimed to detect cancerous tissues by analyzing changes in different physical/chemical parameters in the microenvironment between normal and cancerous tissues. According to the previous reports, it is well known that there are significant differences in electrical conductivity, pH, glucose, and lactate concentrations between the microenvironments of the normal and cancerous tissues. − Such physical/chemical differences, associated with the cancer-specific metabolic processes, can thus be utilized as useful parameters for detecting cancer by distinguishing the abnormal disease tissue. The electrical conductivity of cancer is higher by several times to several orders than that of the normal tissue, although the reason is still not clear. ,,− For the pH, the glucose, and the lactate concentrations, cancer has more acidic pH, − , lower glucose concentration, , and higher lactate concentration , in the microenvironment in comparison to the normal tissue as a result of the cancer-specific metabolic process (see Figure S1 for the schematic illustration about pH, glucose concentration, and lactate concentration in the cancer microenvironment).…”

“…According to the previous reports, it is well known that there are significant differences in electrical conductivity, pH, glucose, and lactate concentrations between the microenvironments of the normal and cancerous tissues. − Such physical/chemical differences, associated with the cancer-specific metabolic processes, can thus be utilized as useful parameters for detecting cancer by distinguishing the abnormal disease tissue. The electrical conductivity of cancer is higher by several times to several orders than that of the normal tissue, although the reason is still not clear. ,,− For the pH, the glucose, and the lactate concentrations, cancer has more acidic pH, − , lower glucose concentration, , and higher lactate concentration , in the microenvironment in comparison to the normal tissue as a result of the cancer-specific metabolic process (see Figure S1 for the schematic illustration about pH, glucose concentration, and lactate concentration in the cancer microenvironment). For the pH sensor, an electrodeposited iridium oxide (IrOx) layer was utilized as the active layer because of its high sensitivity, stable response, and biocompatibility. , The glucose and lactate electrochemical enzymatic biosensors relied on recognition by glucose oxidase (GOx) and lactate oxidase (LOx), respectively.…”

“…In addition to this work, several others were reported based on a similar approach. 8,19,20 In our previous report, we have developed a biopsy needle integrated with a multimodal physical/chemical sensor array with various electrochemical sensors by fabricating the sensors on the polymeric film and transferring them onto the surface of the needle. 8 Even though this approach allowed fine resolution of the electrode, there were still challenges in integrating the enzyme layer for the electrochemical sensor onto the microscale electrode.…”

Metamaterial-Inspired Antenna Array for Application in Microwave Breast Imaging Systems for Tumor Detection

“…This is due to the variation in the water content in tissue cells which results in marked electrical properties [24]. These findings are based on numerous studies carried out on various types of biological tissues including breast [25], liver [26], lymph nodes [27], skin [28], bone [29], and heart [30]. The studies reveal distinct electrical properties exhibited by healthy and malignant tissues which are based on water content [31], necrosis [32], sodium content [33], cell membrane charging [34], and dielectric relaxation time variation [35].…”

Microwave Sensors for Breast Cancer Detection

“…Foster et al [ 35 ] reported a critical review of human tissues. Up to date, scientists have investigated many types of tissues, including breast tissue [ 36 ], liver [ 37 ], lymph nodes [ 38 ], skin [ 39 ], bone [ 40 ], and heart [ 41 ]. Some factors have been reported to explain the difference in electrical properties between healthy and malignant tissues include water content [ 42 ], necrosis and inflammation causing breakdown of the cell membrane [ 43 ], sodium content [ 44 ], charging of the cell membrane [ 44 ], and change in the dielectric relaxation time [ 45 ].…”