Antiproliferative effect of low-level laser/ photobiomodulation on gingival fibroblasts derived from calcium channel blocker-induced gingival overgrowth

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative properties of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on gingival fibroblasts obtained from calcium channel blocker-induced gingival overgrowth (GO). Gingival fibroblasts of patients with GO were compared to healthy gingival fibroblasts (H). Both cells were exposed to LLLT (685 nm wavelength, 25mW power, diode laser) and compared to those not treated with LLLT. Cell proliferation and viability were measured with MTT assay at baseline and after 24 and 72 h. TGF-β1, CTGF, and collagen Type 1 levels were evaluated with Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). LLLT significantly decreased the proliferation of GO fibroblasts (p < 0.05) while leading to a significantly higher proliferation in H fibroblasts compared to the untreated cells (p < 0.05). GO cells showed significantly higher CTGF, TGF-β, and collagen Type 1 expression than the H cells (p < 0.05). LLLT significantly reduced CTGF levels in GO cells compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In H cells, CTGF and TGF-β levels were also significantly decreased in response to LLLT compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While LLLT significantly reduced collagen expression in the H group (p < 0.05), it did not significantly impact the GO cells. LLLT significantly reduced the synthesis of the growth factors and collagen in both groups with an antiproliferative effect on the gingival fibroblasts from calcium channel blocker-induced GO, suggesting that it can offer a therapeutic approach in the clinical management of drug-induced GO, reversing the fibrotic changes.