title: Effect of low-power laser irradiation on protein synthesis and ultrastructure of human gingival fibroblasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-power lasers improve wound healing. Cell proliferation and protein secretion are important steps of this process. The aim of this study was to analyze both protein synthesis and ultrastructural morphology of human gingival fibroblasts irradiated by a low-power laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cell line FMM1 was grown in nutritional deficit. Laser irradiation was carried out with a gallium-aluminum-arsenate (Ga-Al-As) diode laser (904 nm, 120 mW, energy density of 3 J/cm(2)). The protein synthesis analysis and ultrastructural morphology of control (non-irradiated) and irradiated cultures were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were changes in the structure of cytoplasm organelles of treated cells. The procollagen was not altered by the laser irradiation; however, there were a significant reduction of the amount of protein in the DMEM conditioned by irradiated cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-power laser irradiation causes ultrastructural changes in cultured fibroblasts. We suggest that these alterations may lead to disturbances in the collagen metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Aymann N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Neusa A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Fujihara
authors.forename: Fernando N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Carlos P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Eduardo
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011347:Procollagen / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D011347:Procollagen; D003094:Collagen