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60 Hz Electric Field Changes the Membrane Potential During Burst Phase in Pancreatic β-Cells: In Silico Analysis

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Abstract

The production, distribution and use of electricity can generate low frequency electric and magnetic fields (50–60 Hz). Considering that some studies showed adverse effects on pancreatic β-cells exposed to these fields; the present study aimed to analyze the effects of 60 Hz electric fields on membrane potential during the silent and burst phases in pancreatic β-cells using a mathematical model. Sinusoidal 60 Hz electric fields with amplitude ranging from 0.5 to 4 mV were applied on pancreatic β-cells model. The sinusoidal electric field changed burst duration, inter-burst intervals (silent phase) and spike sizes. The parameters above presented dose-dependent response with the voltage amplitude applied. In conclusion, theoretical analyses showed that a 60 Hz electric field with low amplitudes changes the membrane potential in pancreatic β-cells.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Luis Hamiel Almeida Consoni from the Federal University of Pernambuco for helping in discussions about the Hodgkin and Huxley model; Prof. Dr. Bard Ermentrout from the University of Pittsburgh for suggestions in the simulations; Support Center for Research (CENAPESQ) of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Theoretical, Computational and Experimental Biophysics, Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Gesilda F. Neves, José R. F. Silva, Renato B. Moraes, Bruno M. Tenorio & Romildo A. Nogueira

  2. Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Thiago S. Fernandes

  3. Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil

    Romildo A. Nogueira

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  1. Gesilda F. Neves
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  2. José R. F. Silva
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  3. Renato B. Moraes
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  4. Thiago S. Fernandes
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  5. Bruno M. Tenorio
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Correspondence to Romildo A. Nogueira.

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Neves, G.F., Silva, J.R.F., Moraes, R.B. et al. 60 Hz Electric Field Changes the Membrane Potential During Burst Phase in Pancreatic β-Cells: In Silico Analysis. Acta Biotheor 62, 133–143 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10441-014-9214-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10441-014-9214-z

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