Int J Stomatol

Int J Stomatol ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 176-188.doi: 10.7518/gjkq.2026113

• Original Articles • Previous Articles    

Low-level laser therapy for hyperglycemia-associated inflammatory senescence in macrophages

Pawuziya Abulizi(),Haonan Zou,Hao Dong,Aimin Cui,Yuezhang Sun,Qi Wang()   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
  • Received:2025-04-16 Revised:2025-10-28 Online:2026-03-01 Published:2026-02-13
  • Contact: Qi Wang E-mail:798546679@qq.com;wqinno8751@gmail.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(82470985);Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Pro-vince(2024NSFSC0548)

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Abstract:

Objective　Hyperglycemia-associated inflammatory senescence in macrophages is a key factor in inducing macrophage dysfunction and periodontal tissue damage. This study aims to explore the regulatory effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on this process. Methods　Bone marrow-derived macrophages (iBMDMs) cultured in a glucose-shift medium were subjected to laser treatments for evaluation in terms of phagocytosis, migration, and inflammatory senescence levels. Meanwhile, a diabetic mouse model was constructed to compare the effects of insulin monotherapy, LLLT monotherapy, and insulin-combined LLLT on the morphology and inflammatory senescence phenotype of periodontal tissues. Results　LLLT enhanced cell migration and phagocytosis in iBMDMs, as well as reduced the expression of inflammatory senescence markers. In the in vivo experiments, LLLT combined with insulin treatment alleviated diabetes-induced gingival mucosal epithelial thickening, disordered stratification, shortened epithelial rete pegs, and alveolar bone resorption. Meanwhile, it reduced the inflammatory senescence burden. Conclusion　LLLT effectively reverses hyperglycemia-associated sustained damage to macrophages and periodontal tissues. Thus, it shows strong potential as an effective adjuvant therapy for maintaining oral health in diabetic patients.

Key words: low-level laser therapy, macrophage, diabetes, inflammatory senescence

CLC Number: 

  • R616

TrendMD: 

Fig 1

Micro-CT analysis of alveolar bone levels and bone volume fraction"

Fig 2

HE staining of gingival tissue"

Fig 3

Immunostaining to assess periodontal inflammatory senescence level"

Fig 4

The impact of different energy lasers on cell viability"

Fig 5

The effect of laser on cell migration ability under normal glucose conditions"

Fig 6

Transwell assay for macrophage migration ability"

Fig 7

Fluorescence beads phagocytosis assay for measuring macrophage phagocytic capacity"

Fig 8

SA-β-GAL staining for cellular senescence"

Fig 9

WB analysis of the expression of inflammatory senescence associated proteins in macrophages"

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