Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field increase cytotoxicity of temozolomide in glioma cells but not in primary cortical astrocytes

Background and Aim : Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are the most common primary neoplasm tumors arising within the central nervous system (CNS) and are usually incurable. Despite all the current treatments (radiotherapy, neurosurgical resection, and chemotherapy), the patient survival remains poor. Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating agent that has been widely used in the treatment of GBM; however, resistance to this drug is very common. Researches have shown that Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) has effects on cancer cells and drug action. Many authors have shown the synergistic effects of ELF-EMF in combination with chemotherapeutic agents for cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate ELF-EMF and the temozolomide (TMZ) effect in cell viability, apoptosis in u87 human glioma cells, as well as in primary culture of cortical astrocytes viability.Methods : U87 glioma cells and primary cortical astrocytes were cultured. After 24h, the cells were treated with TMZ for 120 and144 hours. Viability analysis was performed through reduction MTT assay. Apoptosis occurrence was evaluated through Propidium iodide (PI) and Annexin V staining.Results : TMZ (100 μM) treatment did not change astrocytic viability. In U87 cells, TMZ 100 μM reduced cell viability. TMZ and ELF-EMF association did not effect in cell viability in primary astrosyte but the co-treatment reduced viability at 120 and 144h in U87 cells. ELF-EMF, TMZ and both association increased apoptosisConclusion : In this way, our results show the ELF-EMF cytotoxic effect in glioma cells but not in astrocytes, suggesting that glioma cells are more susceptive to ELF-EMF toxicity than astrocytes. Even, the ELF-EMF plus TMZ effect in cell death may indicate these drugs association as a new potential therapeutic option in glioma treatments.

کلیدواژه ها:

Electromagnetic field ، Temozolomide ، glioblastoma ، primary cortical astrocytes