Effects of low-level laser therapy and epidermal growth factor on the activities of gingival fibroblasts obtained from young or elderly individuals

• Published in: Lasers in medical science Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 45 - 52
• Main Authors: Pansani, Taisa Nogueira, Basso, Fernanda Gonçalves, Turrioni, Ana Paula Silveira, Soares, Diana Gabriela, Hebling, Josimeri, de Souza Costa, Carlos Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Movement - radiation effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cell Survival - radiation effects; Cells; Cells, Cultured; Collagen - metabolism; Dentistry; Elderly people; Epidermal growth factor; Exposure; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - cytology; Fibroblasts - drug effects; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Fibroblasts - radiation effects; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Gingiva - cytology; Growth factors; Humans; Irradiation; Laser surgery; Laser Therapy; Lasers; Low-Level Light Therapy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Migration; Older people; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; Photonics; Quantum Optics; Synthesis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - biosynthesis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - pharmacology; Young Adult; Young adults; Cell biology; Fibroblast(s); Wound healing; Laser(s); Growth factors
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-016-2081-x

This study evaluated the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on fibroblasts obtained from young and elderly individuals. Gingival fibroblasts from young (Y) and elderly (E) individuals were seeded in wells of 24-well plates with Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) containing 10 % of fetal bovine serum (FBS). After 24 h, the cells were irradiated (LASERTable—InGaAsP—780 ± 3 nm, 25 mW, 3 J/cm 2 ) or exposed to EGF (100 μM). After 72 h, cells were evaluated for viability, migration, collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis, and gene expression of growth factors. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests ( α  = 5 %). Y and E fibroblasts irradiated with laser or exposed to EGF showed increased viability and collagen synthesis. Enhanced cell migration was observed for Y fibroblasts after both treatments, whereas only the LLLT stimulated migration of E cells. VEGF synthesis was higher for Y and E cells exposed to EGF, while this synthesis was reduced when E fibroblasts were irradiated. Increased gene expression of VEGF was observed only for Y and E fibroblasts treated with LLLT. Regardless of a patient’s age, the LLLT and EGF applications can biostimulate gingival fibroblast functions involved in tissue repair.