Introduction: Although islet isolation and transplantation techniques have improved extensively in recent years, the loss of healthy functional islets is one of the major obstacles in this enterprise. A biostimulatory effect of low-level laser irradiation has been proven on proliferation of some kinds of cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser irradiation on the function of isolated rat pancreatic islets after 24 hours of preculture.
Methods: Pancreatic islets isolated from male rats (250 to 300 g) were cultured for 24 hours in RPMI 1640 media. Groups of islets then received different energy densities (1, 3, 5 joules/cm(2) or silent) at 2 wavelengths (810 nm and 630 nm) using laser devices. Insulin concentrations in buffer media were measured as indices of islet function.
Results: Irradiation of incubated islets with 830 nm low-level laser significantly increased insulin secretion after a glucose challenge test (P < .05). There was a significant increase in insulin secretion after irradiation with joules/cm(2) 630 nm energy density (P < .001).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that low-level laser irradiations improved islet cell function before transplantation.