Effect of nutritional stress and serum starvation on the optical absorbance of normal and malignant epithelial cell lines

Abstract

This brief report aimed to investigate the optical absorbance spectra of normal, dysplastic, and malignant epithelial cell lines under normal and nutritional stress conditions. HaCAT (keratinocyte), DOK (oral dysplastic), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines (CA1, Luc4, SCC9) were evaluated regarding their optical absorbance after culture with 0–10% fetal bovine serum. Absorbance measurements indicated that HaCAT under serum starvation exhibited higher absorbance at blue (430 nm) and near-infrared (906 nm) wavelengths. DOK showed absorption at 440 nm and 945 nm. OSCC cells showed absorption peaks at blue (400–428 nm) and near-infrared. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring PBM parameters to individual needs to achieve optimal absorption and effectiveness. Moreover, the higher absorption peaks in the blue region support further studies to elucidate the potential use of blue light in oral dysplastic lesions and OSCC.