Abstract:
This study reports the electrochemical activities of a novel ion substi-
tuted-Hydroxyapatite (HAp) material in contact with HeLa cells. The work was
performed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of various concentrations of HAp on ion
transfer mechanisms in HeLa cells. The materials (n = 2: HAp1 and HAp3) were
prepared at different stirring times from Achatina achatina snail shells and phos-
phate-containing solution. The structure of the materials and the trace elements
concentration were evaluated using x-ray diffractometry and infrared spectrometry
as well as atomic absorption spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies conducted on
the cells after 30 min of exposure to the materials demonstrated different
responses as elucidated by cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms revealed HAp1
to be non-redox whereas HAp3 was redox active. Minimal concentrations of HAp1
showed high anodic peak current when compared to the HeLa cells alone, indicating
a hyperpolarization of the cells. The peak current gradually reduced as the con-
centration of HAp1 was increased, and then followed by a sudden rise suggesting
inhibition of the cell action potential. HAp3 showed a wavy pattern of the anodic
peak current when the material concentration was varied. Peak currents of 0:92
0:03 nA and 0:57 0:01 nA were recorded for HAp1 and HAp3, respectively at the
highest concentration of 5 µL. The results suggest that different inhibitory
mechanisms are at play on the voltage-gated ion channels of the cells, indicating
the possibility of using the materials to achieve different cancer proliferation
inhibition.
