Combined treatment of low-level laser therapy and phloroglucinol for inhibition of fibrosis.

Fibrosis is a highly prevalent disease, which is responsible for 45% of deaths through pathological effects in developed countries. Previous studies have reported that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can modulate fibrotic activity, but significant enhancement of therapeutic efficacy is still required for clinical translation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasible effect of LLLT combined with phloroglucinol (PHL) on the inhibition of fibrosis in vitro. NIH/3T3 murine embryonic fibroblasts cells were cultured and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was treated for transition of fibroblasts. After TGF-β1 treatment, LLLT and PHL were used, respectively, and in combination to suppress fibrosis. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and BrdU assays were performed to estimate the cell viability and proliferation. To evaluate the expression of fibrotic markers, we used confocal immunofluorescence and western blot. When compared with respectively treated groups, the group with the combined treatment of LLLT and PHL significantly reduced cell viability and proliferation. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the combined group minimized more α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen than the other groups. Western blot analysis showed that the combined treatment had significant decreases in α-SMA, TGF-β1, and type I collagen. PHL-assisted LLLT may be an effective treatment to inhibit fibrosis due to its additive effects. The combined treatment has a potential to be an alternative treatment for fibrosis. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.