Low-level light stimulates excisional wound healing in mice

Tatiana N. Demidova-Rice, Elena V. Salomatina, Anna N. Yaroslavsky, Ira M. Herman, Michael R. Hamblin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Low levels of laser or non-coherent light, termed low-level light therapy (LLLT) have been reported to accelerate some phases of wound healing, but its clinical use remains controversial. Methods: A full thickness dorsal excisional wound in mice was treated with a single exposure to light of various wavelengths and fluences 30 minutes after wounding. Wound areas were measured until complete healing and immunofluorescence staining of tissue samples was carried out. Results: Wound healing was significantly stimulated in BALB/c and SKH1 hairless mice but not in C57BL/6 mice. Illuminated wounds started to contract while control wounds initially expanded for the first 24 hours. We found a biphasic dose-response curve for fluence of 635-nm light with a maximum positive effect at 2 J/cm2. Eight hundred twenty nanometer was found to be the best wavelength tested compared to 635, 670, and 720 nm. We found no difference between non-coherent 635 ± 15-nm light from a lamp and coherent 633-nm light from a He/Ne laser. LLLT increased the number of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive cells at the wound edge. Conclusion: LLLT stimulates wound contraction in susceptible mouse strains but the mechanism remains uncertain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)706-715
Number of pages10
JournalLasers in Surgery and Medicine
Volume39
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biostimulation
  • Low-level laser
  • Mouse strain differences
  • Myofibroblasts
  • Smooth muscle actin
  • Wound healing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Dermatology

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