Irradiation with a 632.8 nm helium-neon laser with 5 J/cm2 stimulates proliferation and expression of interleukin-6 in diabetic wounded fibroblast cells.
BACKGROUND
The use of lasers has been shown to stimulate wound healing in vivo and in vitro. There is an increase in wound closure, cell viability, proliferation, and cytokine expression. If laser parameters can be optimized and standardized, and the underlying mechanisms better understood, this phototherapy can become an alternative safe treatment to slow-to-heal wounds, such as in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to determine the effect on cellular proliferation, migration, and cytokine [interleukin-6 (IL-6)] expression in diabetic and diabetic wounded fibroblast cells (WS1) post-laser irradiation.


METHODS
Diabetic and diabetic wounded WS1 cells were irradiated at 632.8 nm (23 mW) with 5 J/cm(2) or 16 J/cm(2). IL-6 level, cellular proliferation (neutral red assay), and morphology were then determined.


RESULTS
Diabetic cells irradiated with 5 J/cm(2) showed no significant change, while diabetic wounded cells showed an increase in IL-6 level, proliferation, and migration. On the other hand, diabetic and diabetic wounded cells irradiated with 16 J/cm(2) showed a significant decrease in proliferation and evidence of cellular damage, and wounded cells showed no migration.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that phototherapy at the correct fluence stimulates IL-6 expression, proliferation, and cellular migration in diabetic wounded cells. A fluence of 5 J/cm(2) stimulates diabetic wound healing in vitro, while 16 J/cm(2) is inhibitive.
Houreld
Nicolette
N
Laser Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, South Africa.
Abrahamse
Heidi
H
D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000528:radiation effects; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000473:pathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007834:Lasers; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000528:radiation effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*
D015850:Interleukin-6