Low-level 809 nm GaAlAs laser irradiation increases the proliferation rate of human laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of low-level 809 nm laser irradiation on the proliferation rate of human larynx carcinoma cells in vitro. Epithelial tumor cells were obtained from a laryngeal carcinoma and cultured under standard conditions. For laser treatment the cells were spread on 96-well tissue culture plates. Sixty-six cell cultures were irradiated with an 809 nm GaAlAs laser. Another 66 served as controls. Power output was 10 mW(cw) and the time of exposure 75–300 s per well, corresponding to an energy fluence of 1.96–7.84 J/cm2. Subsequent to laser treatment, the cultures were incubated for 72 h. The proliferation rate was determined by means of fluorescence activity of a redox indicator (Alamar Blue Assay) added to the cultures immediately after the respective treatment. The indicator is reduced by metabolic activity related to cellular growth. Proliferation was determined up to 72 h after laser application. The irradiated cells revealed a considerably higher proliferation activity. The differences were highly significant up to 72 h after irradiation (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.001). A cellular responsiveness of human laryngeal carcinoma cells to low-level laser irradiation is obvious. The cell line is therefore suitable for basic research investigations concerning the biological mechanisms of LLLT on cells.