Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker Potential
Cell membrane capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) is a potential biomarker that reflects the structural and functional integrity of cell membranes. It is essential for physiological processes such as signal transduction, ion transport, and cellular homeostasis. In clinical pra...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4362 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850071998753931264 |
|---|---|
| author | Steven Brantlov Leigh C. Ward Søren Isidor Christian Lodberg Hvas Charlotte Lock Rud Lars Jødal |
| author_facet | Steven Brantlov Leigh C. Ward Søren Isidor Christian Lodberg Hvas Charlotte Lock Rud Lars Jødal |
| author_sort | Steven Brantlov |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cell membrane capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) is a potential biomarker that reflects the structural and functional integrity of cell membranes. It is essential for physiological processes such as signal transduction, ion transport, and cellular homeostasis. In clinical practice, <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> can be determined using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), a non-invasive technique for analysing the intrinsic electrical properties of biological tissues across a range of frequencies. <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> may be relevant in various clinical fields, where high capacitance is associated with healthy and intact membranes, while low capacitance indicates cellular damage or disease. Despite its promise as a prognostic indicator, several knowledge gaps limit the broader clinical application of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i>. These include variability in measurement techniques (e.g., electrode placement, frequency selection), the lack of standardised measurement protocols, uncertainty on how <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> is related to pathology, and the relatively low amount of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> research. By addressing these gaps, <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> may become a valuable tool for examining cellular health, early disease detection, and evaluating treatment efficacy in clinical practice. This review explores the fundamental principles of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> measured with the BIS technique, its mathematical basis and relationship to the biophysical Cole model, and its potential clinical applications. It identifies current gaps in our knowledge and outlines future research directions to enhance the understanding and use of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i>. For example, <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> has shown promise in identifying membrane degradation in sepsis, predicting malnutrition in anorexia nervosa, and as a prognostic factor in cancer. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d1b35bf4d1845aeae09473c14e49699 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d1b35bf4d1845aeae09473c14e496992025-08-20T02:47:10ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012514436210.3390/s25144362Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker PotentialSteven Brantlov0Leigh C. Ward1Søren Isidor2Christian Lodberg Hvas3Charlotte Lock Rud4Lars Jødal5Department of Procurement & Clinical Engineering, Central Denmark Region, 8200 Aarhus, DenmarkSchool of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, AustraliaDepartment of Clinical Medicine, SDCA—Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, 8200 Aarhus, DenmarkDepartment of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, DenmarkDepartment of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, DenmarkDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, DenmarkCell membrane capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) is a potential biomarker that reflects the structural and functional integrity of cell membranes. It is essential for physiological processes such as signal transduction, ion transport, and cellular homeostasis. In clinical practice, <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> can be determined using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), a non-invasive technique for analysing the intrinsic electrical properties of biological tissues across a range of frequencies. <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> may be relevant in various clinical fields, where high capacitance is associated with healthy and intact membranes, while low capacitance indicates cellular damage or disease. Despite its promise as a prognostic indicator, several knowledge gaps limit the broader clinical application of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i>. These include variability in measurement techniques (e.g., electrode placement, frequency selection), the lack of standardised measurement protocols, uncertainty on how <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> is related to pathology, and the relatively low amount of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> research. By addressing these gaps, <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> may become a valuable tool for examining cellular health, early disease detection, and evaluating treatment efficacy in clinical practice. This review explores the fundamental principles of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> measured with the BIS technique, its mathematical basis and relationship to the biophysical Cole model, and its potential clinical applications. It identifies current gaps in our knowledge and outlines future research directions to enhance the understanding and use of <i>C<sub>m</sub></i>. For example, <i>C<sub>m</sub></i> has shown promise in identifying membrane degradation in sepsis, predicting malnutrition in anorexia nervosa, and as a prognostic factor in cancer.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4362electrical impedancebioimpedancebioimpedance spectroscopymembrane capacitancebiomarkercells |
| spellingShingle | Steven Brantlov Leigh C. Ward Søren Isidor Christian Lodberg Hvas Charlotte Lock Rud Lars Jødal Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker Potential Sensors electrical impedance bioimpedance bioimpedance spectroscopy membrane capacitance biomarker cells |
| title | Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker Potential |
| title_full | Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker Potential |
| title_fullStr | Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker Potential |
| title_short | Cell Membrane Capacitance (<i>C<sub>m</sub></i>) Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS): A Narrative Review of Its Clinical Relevance and Biomarker Potential |
| title_sort | cell membrane capacitance i c sub m sub i measured by bioimpedance spectroscopy bis a narrative review of its clinical relevance and biomarker potential |
| topic | electrical impedance bioimpedance bioimpedance spectroscopy membrane capacitance biomarker cells |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4362 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stevenbrantlov cellmembranecapacitanceicsubmsubimeasuredbybioimpedancespectroscopybisanarrativereviewofitsclinicalrelevanceandbiomarkerpotential AT leighcward cellmembranecapacitanceicsubmsubimeasuredbybioimpedancespectroscopybisanarrativereviewofitsclinicalrelevanceandbiomarkerpotential AT sørenisidor cellmembranecapacitanceicsubmsubimeasuredbybioimpedancespectroscopybisanarrativereviewofitsclinicalrelevanceandbiomarkerpotential AT christianlodberghvas cellmembranecapacitanceicsubmsubimeasuredbybioimpedancespectroscopybisanarrativereviewofitsclinicalrelevanceandbiomarkerpotential AT charlottelockrud cellmembranecapacitanceicsubmsubimeasuredbybioimpedancespectroscopybisanarrativereviewofitsclinicalrelevanceandbiomarkerpotential AT larsjødal cellmembranecapacitanceicsubmsubimeasuredbybioimpedancespectroscopybisanarrativereviewofitsclinicalrelevanceandbiomarkerpotential |