Nd:YAG laser radiation (1.064 nm) accelerates differentiation of osteoblasts to osteocytes on smooth and rough titanium surfaces in vitro

Background: A number of studies revealed beneficial effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) regarding cell proliferation and differentiation.

Aim: To investigate the effect of Nd:YAG (1.064 nm) laser radiation in the proliferation and differentiation potential of MG-63 osteoblast-like cells. Additionally, the effects of the surface configurations were to be evaluated.

Material and methods: MG-63 osteoblast cells were cultured on different surfaces: plastic tissue culture, smooth (polished) titanium-PT and rough titanium-SLA. The effects of both titanium surfaces and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on cell adhesion were evaluated by the gene expression of molecules involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and MTT proliferation assays were used to examine cell morphology and proliferation, respectively.

Results: Compared to smooth (PT) surfaces, SLA surfaces favoured MG-63 cell differentiation. Following the application of Nd:YAG laser irradiation, cells yielded statistically significantly improved differentiation on both smooth and SLA surfaces compared with non-irradiated surfaces.

Conclusions: The findings of this present study suggest that both surface morphology and Nd:YAG laser irradiation influence the proliferation and differentiation potential of MG-63 cells.