Calcium electroporation modulates cell viability, energy metabolism, and apoptosis in colon cancer cells

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of calcium electroporation on cell viability, energy metabolism, and cell survival signaling pathways in the colon cancer cell line DLD-1.Materials and Methods: Cells were treated with different concentrations of CaCl2 (1-4 mM) alone and in combination via electroporation. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Intracellular ATP levels were determined using a luminescence-based method. PI3K and PKC protein levels were measured using ELISA, while caspase-3 activity was evaluated by fluorometric analysis to determine the apoptotic response.Results: While treatment with CaCl2 alone did not significantly affect cell viability (92.16%), calcium electroporation caused significant cytotoxicity, reducing cell viability to 63.16% at 4 mM CaCl2. An increase in ATP levels was observed in the electroporation-only group, whereas calcium electroporation significantly reduced ATP levels from 5966.76 nmol/L in the control group to 1407.78 nmol/L. Furthermore, calcium electroporation decreased PI3K and PKC protein levels and increased caspase-3 activity to 1.54-fold.Conclusion: The findings indicate that calcium electroporation administration disrupts energy metabolism in DLD-1 cells, suppresses cell survival signaling pathways, and produces a potent cytotoxic effect associated with the activation of apoptotic processes.