Pre-Treatment with Either L-Carnitine or Piracetam Increases Ultrasound-Mediated Gene Transfection by Reducing Sonoporation-Associated Apoptosis

Publication date: Available online 14 March 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Wei-Hao Liao, Chueh-Hung Wu, Wen-Shiang Chen
Sonoporation, the use of ultrasound to alter the permeability of cell membranes, is a non-viral technique used to facilitate gene delivery, possibly by opening transient pores in the cell membrane. However, sonoporation may have negative bio-effects on cells, such as causing apoptosis, which limits its efficacy in gene delivery. In this study, we investigated whether pre-treatment with either L-carnitine or piracetam could protect cells from undergoing apoptosis after sonoporation and the possible mechanisms. We found that either L-carnitine or piracetam can promote gene transfection without reducing cell viability, possibly by reducing cavitation-induced reactive oxygen species generation, reversing alterations of mitochondrial membrane potential, preventing caspase-3/7 activity and facilitating mitochondrial ATP production. In conclusion, pre-treatment with either L-carnitine or piracetam could protect cells from sonoporation-associated apoptosis by preserving mitochondrial function.



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