title: Inhibition of fibroblast proliferation in vitro using low-level infrared light-emitting diodes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scars, including hypertrophic and keloidal-type scars, may occur after burns, trauma, or surgery. Despite several treatment options available for scars, few effective, noninvasive modalities exist. Recently, a few small clinical studies revealed the possible benefit of red and infrared (IR) low-level light therapy (LLLT) in scar treatment. One of the important features of scars is proliferation of dermal fibroblasts, but in vitro data regarding the effects of light-emitting diode (LED)-generated IR light on human skin fibroblasts is lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of IR LLLT generated using LEDs on fibroblast proliferation and viability in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Irradiation of normal human skin fibroblasts using IR LED panels was performed in vitro, and modulation of proliferation and viability was quantified using Trypan blue dye exclusion assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fluences of 80, 160 and 320 J/cm(2) resulted in statistically significantly less fibroblast proliferation than in controls, without statistically significantly less cellular viability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IR LLLT can effectively inhibit fibroblast proliferation in vitro without altering viability and holds promise for the treatment of scars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.
authors.forename: Hadar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lev-Tov
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brody
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Jared
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jagdeo
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy