Elementary processes in cells after light absorption do not depend on the degree of polarization: implications for the mechanisms of laser phototherapy.

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the importance of the degree of light polarization in stimulation of cellular metabolism.

Background Data: Although the possible role of polarization's effects on the mechanisms of laser phototherapy is sometimes discussed in the literature, there are still no clear answers.

Material And Methods: A model system (HeLa cell suspension) was used in which the lengths of light scattering (l sc) and absorption (l a) were much larger than the thickness of the irradiated layer (L = 3 mm).