title: Direct electric current modifies important cellular aspects and ultrastructure features of Candida albicans yeasts: Influence of doses and polarities.
abstract: Available treatments against human fungal pathogens present high levels of resistance, motivating the development of new antifungal therapies. In this context, the present work aimed to analyze direct electric current (DC) antifungal action, using an in vitro apparatus equipped with platinum electrodes. Candida albicans yeast cells were submitted to three distinct conditions of DC treatment (anodic flow-AF; electroionic flow-EIF; and cathodic flow-CF), as well as different charges, ranging from 0.03 to 2.40 C. Our results indicated C. albicans presented distinct sensibility depending on the DC intensity and polarity applied. Both the colony-forming unit assay and the cytometry flow with propidium iodide indicated a drastic reduction on cellular viability after AF treatment with 0.15 C, while CF- and EIF-treated cells stayed alive when DC doses were increased up to 2.40 C. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy revealed important ultrastructural alterations in AF-treated yeasts, including cell structure disorganization, ruptures in plasmatic membrane, and cytoplasmic rarefaction. This work emphasizes the importance of physical parameters (polarity and doses) in cellular damage, and brings new evidence for using electrotherapy to treat C. albicans pathology process. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:95-108, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors: Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Gleyce Moreno
authors: GM
authors: Barbosa
authors: Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Eldio Gonçalves
authors: EG
authors: Dos Santos
authors: Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Francielle Neves Carvalho
authors: FN
authors: Capella
authors: Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Fortune
authors: F
authors: Homsani
authors: Peptidases Research Laboratory, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: de Pointis Marçal
authors: Peptidases Research Laboratory, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Dos Santos Valle
authors: Peptidases Research Laboratory, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Érika
authors: É
authors: de Araújo Abi-Chacra
authors: Peptidases Research Laboratory, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Lys Adriana
authors: LA
authors: Braga-Silva
authors: Protistology Laboratory, Biology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Marcelo Henrique
authors: MH
authors: de Oliveira Sales
authors: Protistology Laboratory, Biology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Inácio Domingos
authors: ID
authors: da Silva Neto
authors: Microscopy Sector of Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Venicio Feo
authors: VF
authors: da Veiga
authors: Peptidases Research Laboratory, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: André Luis Souza
authors: AL
authors: Dos Santos
authors: Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Holandino
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050296:Microbial Viability; D008875:Middle Aged; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry; D011419:Propidium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011419:Propidium; D010984:Platinum
keywords: Candida albicans; DC polarity; electrotherapy; fungal infections; ultrastructural morphology