Effect of low-level laser therapy on bisphosphonate-treated osteoblasts

BACKGROUND This study investigates the effect of alendronate-treated osteoblasts, as well as the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the alendronate-treated osteoblasts. Bisphosphonate decreases the osteoblastic activity. Various treatment modalities are used to enhance the bisphosphonate-treated osteoblasts; however, there were no cell culture studies conducted using a low-level laser. METHODS Human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB 1.19) cells were treated with 50 μM alendronate. Then, they were irradiated with a 1.2 J/cm2 low-level Ga-Al-As laser (λ = 808 ± 3 nm, 80 mW, and 80 mA; spot size, 1 cm2; NDLux, Seoul, Korea). The cell survivability was measured with the MTT assay. The three cytokines of osteoblasts, receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were analyzed. RESULTS In the cells treated with alendronate at concentrations of 50 μM and higher, cell survivability significantly decreased after 48 h (p < 0.05). After the applications of low-level laser on alendronate-treated cells, cell survivability significantly increased at 72 h (p < 0.05). The expressions of OPG, RANKL, and M-CSF have decreased via the alendronate. The RANKL and M-CSF expressions have increased, but the OPG was not significantly affected by the LLLT. CONCLUSIONS The LLLT does not affect the OPG expression in the hFOB cell line, but it may increase the RANKL and M-CSF expressions, thereby resulting in positive effects on osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling.