Cellular Attachment as a Sensitive Indicator of the Effects of Diagnostic Ultrasound Exposure on Cultured Human Cells

Abstract

Dispersed cultured human cells (T-1 kidney, FL embryonic kidney, ES amniotic, and JHA amniotic) were seeded into plastic Petri dishes, incubated for 45 minutes, exposed to a clinical ultrasound source [total power output, 1.76 +/- 0.18 (S.D.) mW] for 0.25-60 minutes, and the medium replaced. Attachment was significantly reduced after only 0.50 minute of exposure. For all exposures, sensitivity of the JHA amniotic cells was greater than that of the kidney lines. Like incremental reduction in attachment, differential sensitivity among cell lines became less pronounced with protracted exposures. Thus cellular attachment is a sensitive parameter for studying the effects of diagnostic ultrasound.