EFFECTS OF LOW-ENERGY GALLIUM-ALUMINUM-ARSENIDE LASER IRRADIATION ON CULTURED FIBROBLASTS AND KERATINOCYTES

Background and Objective: To assess whether the gallium-aluminum-arsen ide low energy laser will increase cell proliferation, cell attachment , or cell migration in cultured fibroblasts and keratinocyte models. S tudy Design/Materials and Methods: Monolayer cultures of fibroblasts a nd keratinocytes were subjected to gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser irr adiation at varying power densities for varying time intervals. Cell p roliferation was assessed by absorbent spectrophotometry while cell ad hesion was assessed by a microcolorimetric assay for cells attached to bovine dermis collagen. Cell migration was assessed through a filter utilizing high power microscopic fields. Results: There were no differ ences in cell proliferation, adhesion, or migration in either the fibr oblast or keratinocyte culture treated with the gallium-aluminum-arsen ide laser at any power density or time compared with nontreated contro ls. Conclusion: The gallium-aluminum arsenide laser, when utilized at powers of 5-100 milliwatts and times of between 10-120 seconds has no biostimulatory effect on fibroblasts or keratinocyte cultures as asses sed by cell proliferation, adhesion, or migration. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss , Inc.