Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of the laser on cellular respiration

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A frequency of 5300 Å, derived from a frequency-doubled Q-switched neodymium laser was observed to produce progressive injury and death of cells from a culture of newborn rat cerebellum. A subsequent observation that the green laser frequency (but not 6943 Å of the same intensity from a Q-switched ruby laser) could reduce the rate of oxygen consumption of rat brain cell suspensions suggested that the cytochromes may serve as chromophores. This hypothesis was confirmed by a demonstration that cytochromes c+c1 failed to act as hydrogen acceptors following 10 impacts of 1 Mw/cm2 each of the green laser frequency and cytochromes a+a3 showed a similar response when a brain cell suspension was irradiated (200 kw) with frequencies of 6096 and 6013 Å. These data illustrate the principle that laser frequencies which are appropriately matched to the absorption characteristics of target molecules can selectively inhibit specific molecular components in intact cells, if a controlled energy density range is used.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amy, R. L., and R. Storb: Selective mitochondrial damage by a ruby laser microbeam using Janus green as a vital specific dye absorbent. Science 150, 756–758 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chance, B.: Electron transfer in biological systems. Proc. I. R. E. 47, 1821–1840 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and B. Hess: Spectroscopic evidence of metabolic control. Science 129, 700–708 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Derr, V. W., E. Klein, and S. Fine: Free radical occurrence in some laser-irradiated biological materials. Fed. Proc. 24, Suppl. 14, S99-S103 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckhardt, G., R. W. Hellwarth, F. J. McLung, S. E. Schwarz, D. Weiner, and E. J. Woodbury: Stimulated Raman scattering from organic liquids. Phys. Rev. Letters 9, 455 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Sayed, M., F. M. Johnson, and J. A. Duardo: Stimulated Raman scattering of 6943 Å and 5289 Å laser radiation. J. Chim. phys. (France), No 1, 227–234 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Franken, P. A., and J. F. Ward: Optical harmonics and non-linear phenomena. Rev. Mod. Phys. 35, 23 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Garmire, E., F. Pandarese, and C. H. Townes: Coherently driven molecular vibrations and light modulation. Phys. Rev. Letters 11, 160 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jobsis, F. F.: In: Handbook of Physiology, Section 3, Respiration 1, Amer. Physiol. Soc. (1964), Washington, D.C.

  • Johnson, F. M.: Quadruple frequency multiplication of a 1.06 μ neodymium-pulsed laser. Nature (Lond.) 204, 985–987 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, R. Olson, and D. E. Rounds: Effects of high-power green laser radiation on cells in tissue culture. Nature (Lond.) 205, 721–722 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendelson, J. A., and N. B. Ackerman: Studies of biologically significant forces following laser irradiation. Fed. Proc. 24, Suppl. 14, S111-S115 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Minck, R. W., R. W. Terhune, and W. G. Rado: Laser-stimulated Raman effect and resonant four-photon interactions in gases, H4, D2, Ch4. Appl. Phys. Letters 3, 181 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Minton, J. P., M. Zelen, and A. Ketcham: Some factors affecting tumor response after laser radiation. Fed. Proc. 24, Suppl. 14, S155-S158 (1965a).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Experimental results from exposure of Cloudman S-91 melanoma in the CDBA/2F hybrid mouse to neodymium or ruby laser radiation. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 122, 758–766 (1965b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rounds, D. E., E. C. Chamberlain, and T. Okigaki: Laser radiation of tissue cultures. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 122, 713–727 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and R. S. Olson: The effect of intense visible light on cellular respiration. Life Sci. 6, 359–366 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and F. M. Johnson: The laser as a potential tool for cell research. J. Cell Biol. 27, 191–197 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pasadena Foundation for Medical Research, Pasadena, California

    Donald E. Rounds & Robert S. Olson

  2. Electro-Optical Systems, Inc., Pasadena, California

    Fred M. Johnson

Authors
  1. Donald E. Rounds
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert S. Olson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fred M. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported in part by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Office of the Surgeon General, under Contract No. DA-49-193-MD-2564, and in part by Electro-Optical Systems, Inc.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rounds, D.E., Olson, R.S. & Johnson, F.M. The effect of the laser on cellular respiration. Z. Zellforsch. 87, 193–198 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319718

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319718

Keywords

Search

Navigation