Abstract
The helium-neon (He-Ne) laser has been studied as an important dermatological therapeutic instrument for wound healing, but the mechanism of this use at the cellular and molecular level is still unknown. Our study revealed: 1) He-Ne laser induces a significant increase in IL-1α and IL-8 production in He-Ne laser treated keratinocytes, 2) this stimulatory effect of He-Ne laser is dosedependent. IL-1α and/or IL-8 induce keratinocyte migration and proliferation. He-Ne laser has a potential dermatological application in the treatment of segmental-type vitiligo, a dysfunction of sympathetic nerves in the lesions. Using laser Doppler flowmetry, we confirmed a significant increase in the cutaneous blood flow of depigmented lesions. Clinical applications of He-Ne laser in segmental-type vitiligo are rewarded by obvious improvement, perhaps due to melanocyte growth factors release from both epidermis and nerve ending.
