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. 2025 Mar-Apr;39(2):634-639.
doi: 10.21873/invivo.13868.

Effects of Diode Laser Irradiation on Bone Formation in the Tibiae of Estrogen-deficient Rats

Toshiko Furukawa  1 , Munemitsu Kawano  2 , Satoshi Yokose  3 , Rina Iwamoto  1 , Nobuyuki Udagawa  1   4
Affiliations

Effects of Diode Laser Irradiation on Bone Formation in the Tibiae of Estrogen-deficient Rats

Toshiko Furukawa et al. In Vivo. 2025 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of diode laser irradiation (910 nm) on bone formation in tibiae with bone defects in estrogen-deficient rats. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was performed for 3-dimensional (3D) morphological evaluation of newly formed bone tissues.

Materials and methods: Rats underwent sham operation (Sham) or ovariectomy (OVX), and bone defects were created in the tibiae, which were then subjected to diode laser irradiation for seven days in the laser groups (Sham-laser or OVX-laser groups). Tibiae with bone defects from Sham or OVX groups were irradiated with a guide light instead of a laser, serving as control groups (Sham-Cont or OVX-Cont groups). The tibiae were exposed to laser irradiation every day over a period of seven days. After irradiation, the tibiae underwent micro-CT, and then 3D reconstruction was performed for analysis of new bone formation.

Results: Estrogen deficiency induced osteoporosis in the tibiae of OVX rats. Laser irradiation induced greater new bone formation in the region of bone defects in both Sham- and OVX-laser groups compared to the Sham- and OVX-Cont groups, respectively. No significant difference in the volume of new bone formation was seen between Sham- and OVX-laser groups.

Conclusion: Laser irradiation could induce new bone formation in the region of bone defects in both Sham and OVX rats. This suggests that laser irradiation has potential for bone regeneration therapy in cases of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Keywords: Diode laser; OVX; bone defect; bone formation; rat; tibia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors have no conflicts of interest to report in relation to this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A bone defect is created in the tibia using a dental bur. The defect is located above the calcaneus as described in the Materials and Methods section.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Three-dimensional images of trabecular bone volume (BV) as shown by blue color in the primary spongiosa of the tibiae in Sham (A) and OVX (B) rats. Trabecular BV is significantly lower in OVX rats than in Sham rats (C). Results represent mean±SD (n=5). *p<0.05 compared with the Sham.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Three-dimensional models of newly formed bone tissue as shown by blue color in the region of tibial defects in Sham-Cont (A), Sham-Laser (B), OVX-Cont (C), and OVX-Laser (D) groups. E) Measured bone volume (BV) in each group. Results represent mean±SD (n=5). p<0.05 compared with the control. NS: Not significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Histological features of newly formed bone tissues (asterisk) in the region of tibial defects in Sham-Cont (A), Sham-Laser (B), OVX-Cont (C), and OVX-Laser (D) groups. Bar: 200 μm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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