Expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor -kappaB ligand, receptor activator of nuclear factor -kappaB, and osteoprotegerin, following low-level laser treatment on deproteinized bovine bone graft in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate by immunohistochemistry the effects of low-level laser (LLL) irradiation on the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor -kappaB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and the receptor activator of nuclear factor -kappaB (RANK) in deproteinized bovine bone grafts in rats. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 15 weeks were allocated to either an experimental group that underwent LLL irradiation during bone healing at the bone graft sites of the rats' calvarial bone defects or a control group. In the experimental group, gallium-aluminum-arsenide (Ga-Al-As) diode LLL (wavelength 808 nm; output 96 mW) was used to irradiate three areas on and around bone defects.