17/01/2020
Introducing our new product: –
Phototherapy pens with green emitters for wound repair
Dr David Somerville and Marjorie Somerville have been conducting a review of the latest clinical research. This research in both clinical and experimental studies has demonstrated the benefits of low power phototherapy using LED’s on wound healing; the research particularly indicates that the optimal effectiveness for promoting wound repair is the application of green light. This significantly increases the proliferation of fibroblasts to a greater extent than the current use of red or infra-red.
Westville therefore is keeping abreast with best practice and will be offering green LED pen applicators starting from 20th of this month (January 2020).
Introducing use of green LEDs for enhanced wound healing.
The wound healing process is complex, and it is susceptible to interruption or failure leading to the formation of non-healing chronic wounds. Fibroblasts, the main connective tissue cells in the body, are critical in supporting normal wound healing. These cells synthesize the extracellular matrix and collagen, producing the structural framework (stroma) for animal tissues. They are involved in key processes such as breaking down the fibrin clot, creating new extra cellular matrix (ECM) and collagen structures to support the other cells associated with effective wound healing, as well as contracting the wound. (2013 Bainbridge)
When tissues are injured, fibroblasts become activated and differentiate into myofibroblasts. These generate large contractions and actively produce extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to facilitate the closure of wounds. Both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts play a critical role in wound healing by generating traction and contractile forces, respectively, to enhance wound contraction.
Research in both clinical and experimental studies indicates that application of phototherapy using different kinds of lasers cause photobiomodulation that works at localized cellular level on various biological systems. Increased numbers of fibroblasts, myofibroblast, and degranulation of mast cells have been the observed benefits post-irradiation.
Several studies demonstrate the benefits of low-power light therapy on wound healing. A study was carried out (Chaves ME et al 2014) analysing sixty-eight studies in vitro and in animals. Results indicated that LED and LASER promote similar biological effects, such as decrease of inflammatory cells, increased fibroblast proliferation, stimulation of angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and increased synthesis of collagen.
So, which irradiation is going to produce the optimal effect? The use of low power light in animals and humans involves almost exclusively light in red and near infrared wavelengths, however research by Vinck (2003) suggests that green light may be more effective. Cultured fibroblasts were treated with either infrared LLL or LED light sources using 950nm, 660nm and 570nm. Results indicated a higher rate of proliferation in all irradiated cultures when compared with the controls. However, surprisingly although red provided a higher increase than infra- red, it was the green light that yielded a significantly higher number of cells. Further research papers have also indicated the positive effects of green light. Fushimi (2012) concluded that they had they had demonstrated that that green LEDs promote wound healing by inducing migratory and proliferative mediators, which suggests that not only red LEDs but also green LEDs can be a new powerful therapeutic strategy for wound healing. More recently Rohinger (2017) supported the advantages of green (pulsed) LEDs at 516nm
Conclusion: it will be beneficial to include the use of green phototherapy to promote wound healing.
References
Bainbridge P. 2013 Wound healing and the role of fibroblasts. Journal of wound healing Vol 22, no 8.
Fushimi et al. 2012 Green light emitting diodes accelerate wound healing: characterization of the effect and its molecular basis in vitro and in vivo. Wound Repair and Regeneration
Rohinger S. et al (2017) Scientific reports 7. Article no 1070
Vinck et al. 2003 Increased fibroblast proliferation by light emitting diode and low power laser irradiation. Lasers in medical science 18(2):95- 9
