Effect of low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation on cultured human gingival fibroblasts.
BACKGROUND
Low-level laser irradiation has been reported to enhance wound healing. Activation of gingival fibroblasts (GF) has a potential for early wound healing in periodontal treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the direct effect of low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation on gingival fibroblasts proliferation in order to clarify the laser effect on healing.


METHODS
Cultured human gingival fibroblasts (hGF) were exposed to low-power, pulsed Er:YAG laser irradiation with different energy densities ranging from 1.68 to 5.0 J/cm(2). The cultures were analyzed by means of trypan blue staining and counted under a light microscope. The effect of Er:YAG laser on hGF was also evaluated using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).


RESULTS
Cultures irradiated with Er:YAG laser presented faster cell growth when compared with untreated controls. This difference was statistically significant. Transmission electron microscopy revealed rough endoplasmic reticulum, prominent Golgi complexes, and mitochondria after laser irradiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed that the low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation stimulates the proliferation of cultured gingival fibroblasts. The optimal stimulative energy density was found to be 3.37 J/cm(2). This result suggests that Er:YAG laser irradiation may be of therapeutic benefit for wound healing.
Section of Periodontology, Department of Hard Tissue Engineering, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. amir.peri@tmd.ac.jp
Amir
A
Pourzarandian
Hisashi
H
Watanabe
Senarath M P M
SM
Ruwanpura
Akira
A
Aoki
Isao
I
Ishikawa
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D018870:Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough / Q000528:radiation effects; D004871:Erbium; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000528:radiation effects; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000528:radiation effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*
D004871:Erbium