On the possible mechanisms of the selective effect of a non‐equilibrium plasma on healthy and cancer cells in a physiological solution

Abstract

This paper discusses possible mechanisms for the selective effect of weakly ionized nonequilibrium plasma and currents in electrolytes on healthy and cancerous cells in physiological saline in a Petri dish. The interaction with the plasma source leads to a change in osmotic pressure, which affects the electro-mechanical properties of cell membranes in healthy and cancerous cells in different ways. The currents arising in the electrolyte charge the membranes of healthy and cancerous cells to a different potential difference due to the different values of the membranes’ dielectric constants. We hypothesized: 1. The dielectric permeability of cancer cell membranes is lower than that of healthy cells, as is the capacity of a unit of the membrane surface, and therefore, the additional potential difference acquired by the membrane through charging with currents induced in the intercellular electrolyte is greater in cancer cells. This can lead to electroporation of cancer cell membranes, resulting in their apoptosis, but does not affect healthy cells. 2. It is known from the literature that the equilibrium potential differences on the membrane (resting potential) of cancer and healthy cells are noticeably different. Therefore, a change in the potential difference on the membrane due to currents in the extracellular fluid can affect the permeability and transport properties of the membranes. It can also be a reason for the selective effect of the nonequilibrium plasma interaction with healthy and cancerous cells in physiological saline.