Effect of low-power density laser radiation on heatling of open skin wounds in rats

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Arch. Surg. (Chicago); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1981.01380150021005· OSTI ID:5886106

Kana, J S; Hutschenreiter, G; Haina, D; Waidelich, W

Researchers performed a study to determine whether laser radation of low-power density would affect the healing of open skin wounds in rats. The wounds were irradiated daily with a helium-neon laser and an argon laser at a constant power density of 45 mW/sq cm. The rate of wound closure was followed by photographing the wounds in a standardized way. The collagen hydroxyproline concentration in the scar tissue was determined on the 18th postoperative day. Helium-neon laser radiation had a statistically significant stimulating effect on collagen synthesis in the wound, with a maximum effect at an energy density of 4 joules/sq cm. The rate of wound closure was enhanced significantly between the third and 12th postoperative days. The argon laser exposure produced a significant increase in collagen concentration both in irradiated and nonirradiated contralateral wounds. However, an acceleration of the healing rate was not registered in this case. The wound contraction up to the fourth day of the experiment was inhibited under helium-neon and argon laser exposure to 20 joules/sq cm. The described effects were not specific for the laser light. There may be a wavelength-selective influence of coherent light on the metabolic and proliferation processes in wound healing, with the associated problem of the possible carcinogenic effects of laser radiation.

• OSTI ID: 5886106
• Journal Information: Arch. Surg. (Chicago); (United States), Vol. 116:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LASER RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
WOUNDS
HEALING
CARCINOGENESIS
COLLAGEN
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
HYDROXYPROLINE
RADIATION DOSES
RATS
SKIN
AMINES
AMINO ACIDS
ANIMALS
AZOLES
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BODY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY ACIDS
INJURIES
IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
PROTEINS
PYRROLES
PYRROLIDINES
RADIATIONS
RECOVERY
RODENTS
SCLEROPROTEINS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects