Objectives: To examine the effect of visible light at wavelengths of 400 to 500nm on proliferation capability of rat submandibular salivary gland (RSSG) cells in vitro, since we hypothesize that light may induce stress followed by cell proliferation.
Methods: RSSG cells were exposed to a xenon blue light source (MSq, Caesarea, IL, peak, 460 nm). Samples of cultured paranchymal RSSG cells were exposed to light for 30 and 120 s, equivalent to 12 and 46 J/cm2 respectively. Thereafter, proliferation rate of cells was obtained using Methylen blue proliferation assay.
Results: Increase in proliferation capability of RSSG cells was evident in cells exposed to blue light with a fluence of 12 J/cm2 reaching to peak at day 7. Control unexposed group and the group exposed to the higher fluence showed similar but lower proliferation rates.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the ability of blue light to stimulate proliferation in RSSG cells. Further work will assess the potential of this technique to enhance salivary gland cell regeneration capability methodology in order to regenerate the impaired salivary parenchymal tissue of radiated head and neck cancer patients.