Low-level laser therapy enhances the number of osteocytes in calvaria bone defects of ovariectomized rats
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Obtaining Primary Osteocytes Through Murine Calvarial Fractionation of GFP-Expressing Osteocytes
Published on: June 2, 2020
Priscilla Hakime Scalize1, Luiz Gustavo de Sousa1, Lígia Maria Napolitano Gonçalves1
1Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto USP - University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil.
Background:
Osteoporosis can make bone repair difficult. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to be a promising tool for bone neoformation. This study aimed to analyze the effect of LLLT on calvaria bone defects of ovariectomized rats using stereology.
Methods:
Fifty-four Wistar rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy, and bone defects were created in calvaria after 150 days. The animals were divided into nine groups (n = 6 per group), and 24 hours after the bone defects were created they received 3, 6 or 12 sessions of LLLT at 0, 20 or 30 J/cm2, using a 780-nm low-intensity GaAlAs laser. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test was used for data processing. A difference of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The parameters evaluated were osteocyte density (Nv ost), total osteocyte number (Nto ost), trabecular surface density (Sv t), and trabecular surface area (Sa t).
Results:
Data obtained showed that Nto ost, Sv t, and Sa t in group G2 rats were significantly different from G1 (0 J/cm2) (P < 0.05). Compared to group G4, G5 presented higher values for the parameters Sv t and Sa t, and G6 presented significantly higher values for almost all the analyzed parameters (Nv ost, Nto ost, Sv t, and Sa t) (P < 0.05). Compared to group G7, G8 showed a higher value only for the parameter Sa t, and G9 showed significantly higher values for parameters Nv ost, Nto ost, Sv t, and Sa t.
Conclusion:
We conclude that LLLT stimulated bone neoformation and contributed to an increase in the total number of osteocytes, especially with a laser energy density of 30 J/cm2 given for 6 and 12 sessions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Lumber Defects
Shakes are minor fractures that run along or across the wood's annual rings, while wane is...
High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
Leveling Effect
Gene Therapy
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...

