Future Applications to Cancer and Arteriosclerosis

Present ideas of electrochemistry in biology are still in their infancy, and biological systems are by their nature complex. However, it does not 

The formation of clots, the origin of arteriosclerosis may also have an electrochemical aspect. The mechanism for clotting is, of course, very complex and involves many steps. However, it is proven that clotting can be turned on and turned off by a change in the potential of metal electrodes. It seems not unreasonable to suggest that whether clots of blood form or not on the arterial walls depends on the potential difference between these walls and their surrounding solution. 

This concept would correspond to some work carried out by Sawyer and Srinivasan, in which it was shown that so long as the potential of a metal in contact with both blood suspensions in solution was negative, no clots occurred. Such a principle may well be applicable in the design of compatible prosthetics for use in the body. 

The present electrodic theory of biological reactions, outlined here, would, if confirmed, bring a change in thinking in biology. Thus, biological reactions would be largely surface reactions and only to a smaller extent 

Thanks are due to Dr. Rejou-Michel, Dr. S. G. Canagaratna, and Mr. F. Diniz for several discussions. Financial support from the National Cancer Foundation is gratefully acknowledged. 

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