Low-intensity red and infrared lasers affect mRNA expression of DNA nucleotide excision repair in skin and muscle tissue

Abstract

Lasers emit light beams with specific characteristics, in which wavelength, frequency, power, fluence, and emission mode properties determine the photophysical, photochemical, and photobiological responses. Low-intensity lasers could induce free radical generation in biological tissues and cause alterations in macromolecules, such as DNA. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) and excision repair cross-complementing group 2 (ERCC2) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in biological tissues exposed to low-intensity lasers. Wistar rat (n = 28, 4 for each group) skin and muscle were exposed to low-intensity red (660 nm) and near-infrared (880 nm) lasers at different fluences (25, 50, and 100 J/cm(2)), and samples of these tissues were withdrawn for RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and gene expression evaluation by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Laser exposure was in continuous wave and power of 100 mW. Data show that ERCC1 and ERCC2 mRNA expressions decrease in skin (p < 0.001) exposed to near-infrared laser, but increase in muscle tissue (p < 0.001). ERCC1 mRNA expression does not alter (p > 0.05), but ERCC2 mRNA expression decreases in skin (p < 0.001) and increases in muscle tissue (p < 0.001) exposed to red laser. Our results show that ERCC1 and ERCC2 mRNA expression is differently altered in skin and muscle tissue exposed to low-intensity lasers depending on wavelengths and fluences used in therapeutic protocols.

Low-level lasers alter mRNA levels from traditional reference genes used in breast cancer cells

“…Low-level red and infrared lasers, into the so-called therapeutic window (600 up to 1100 nm), are able to induce molecular effects, which are used in clinical protocols for the treatment of a number of diseases in phototherapy [25,26] and photodynamic therapy [27][28][29]. As these molecular effects are not yet understood, mainly gene expression, RT-qPCR has been used to evaluate laser-induced effects on mRNA levels [30,31]. However, an adequate reference gene is necessary when taking into account the biostimulation (or biomodulation) effect induced by exposure to low-level lasers [12].…”

The Effects of a 2-W Laser on the Nasolabial Fold of Ageing Individuals Investigated by High-Frequency Ultrasonography: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

“…30 The energy density in the upper portion of the NLF next to the alar cartilage was doubled to 16 J/cm 2 . 31 Since it has been demonstrated that the Levator labii superior and zygomaticus muscles are involved in the formation of NLF prominence with ageing, these muscles also received 8 J of energy. 32,33 Therefore, the total applied energy density for each side of the face was 64 J/cm 2 .…”

DNA repair and genomic stability in lungs affected by acute injury

“…Similarly, other studies have demonstrated possibilities in the modulation of other DNA repair genes in different experimental models. It was observed alteration on mRNA ERCC1 and ERCC2 (excision repair cross-complementation group 1 and 2, respectively) levels after low power lasers exposure [ 148 ]. Also, these lasers were able to modulate ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) and p53 [ 149 , 150 ] and APE1 mRNA levels [ 150 ].…”