The effect of low intensity laser irradiation on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-1β in scalded dermal tissues

Objective To study the effect of low intensity laser irradiation on wound healing and the expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF- β1) and interleukin beta-1 (IL-1β) in wounded tissue. Methods Steam was used to scald 60 BALB/c mice. They were then randomly divided into a laser group and a control group with 30 in each group. The wounds in the laser group were irradiated with a low-intensity He-Ne laser, while the control group was given the same treatment except that the instrument was turned off. The wound healing rate was calculated, and the full wound thickness was measured and a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 and IL-1β right after the scalding and 1, 3, 7 and 14 days later. Results Seven and 14 days later, the wound healing rates in the laser group were (51.48±5.89)% and (73.96±7.25)%, respectively. Compared with the control group at the same time points, the difference was statistically significant. In the laser group the expression of TGF-β1 had increased significantly at days 1 and 3, then increased to a maximum at day 7. It was significantly greater than in the control group at all three of those time points. At day 14 the expression of TGF-β1 in the laser group was significantly lower than in the control group. The expression of IL-1β in the laser group had decreased significantly at days 1 and 3, and gradually reduced to a minimum at day 7. It was significantly lower than in the control group at all three of those time points. Conclusion Low intensity He-Ne laser irradiation can accelerate wound healing after scalding, at least in mice. Its effect may be related to its regulation of the expression of IL-1 β and TGF- β1. Key words: Lasers; Inflammation; Transforming growth factor beta-1; Interleukin-1β; Scalds