title: Pulsing influences photoradiation outcomes in cell culture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Skin pigmentation can adversely affect phototherapy outcomes. Delivering pulsed light has been suggested as a means of enhancing efficacy. Suitable pulse frequencies remain indeterminate, often being selected empirically. This study was undertaken to determine whether pulsed light delivery mitigates the filtering effect of melanin pigment on photomodulation in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human HEP-2 cells were cultured in complete DMEM media. Photoradiation was delivered through 0.025% melanin filters at 670 nm (5.0 J/cm(2)/treatment/24 hours) for 72 hours at different pulse rates. Group A received no light treatment. Group B received treatments without pulsing. Groups C, D, E, F, and G received treatments at 6, 18, 36, 100, and 600 Hz. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay and oxidative burst was measured using the 2.7 dichloro-fluorescein-diacetate assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cell proliferation was maximally stimulated at 100 Hz at 48 and 72 hours (n = 4, P< or =0.05). Oxidative burst was maximally stimulated at 600 Hz (n = 4, P< or =0.05). All frequencies were stimulatory at 48 and 72 hours (n = 4, P< or =0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation suggests that light pulsing may improve outcomes by mitigating the filtration effects of cutaneous melanin. Further studies to further define these effects are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Rochester General Hospital Laser Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brondon
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lanzafame
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016897:Respiratory Burst; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins