title: Dose and wavelength of laser light have influence on the repair of cutaneous wounds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to compare histologically the effect of GaAlAs (lambda 830 nm, phi approximately 2 mm(2), 35 mW) and InGaAlP (lambda 685 nm, phi approximately 2 mm(2), 35 mW) lasers, alone or in association with doses of 20 or 50 J/cm(2) on cutaneous wounds in the dorsum of the Wistar rat.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The healing time of surgical wounds is of extreme importance and it is usually associated with a post-operative period free of infection and with less pain and inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty Wistar rats were divided into seven groups: Group I - control (non-irradiated); Group II - lambda 685 nm, 20 J/cm(2); Group III - lambda 830 nm, 20 J/cm(2); Group IV - lambda 685 nm and lambda 830 nm, 20 J/cm(2); Group V - lambda 685 nm, 50 J/cm(2)); Group VI - lambda 830 nm, 50 J/cm(2); and Group VII - lambda 685 nm and 830 nm, 50 J/cm(2). The animals were sacrificed 3, 5, and 7 days after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Light microscopic analysis using H&E and Picrosírius stains showed that, at the end of the experimental period, irradiated subjects showed increased collagen production and organization when compared to non-irradiated controls. Inflammation was still present in all groups at this time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group IV (lambda 830 nm and lambda 685 nm, 20 J/cm(2)) presented better results at the end of the experimental period. It is concluded that low-level light therapy (LLLT) can have a positive biomodulatory effect on the repair of cutaneous wounds.
authors.affiliation: IP&D, Univap & School of Dentistry, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatiana M T V
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.forename: Antonio L B
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Marcos T T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Luciana M P
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ramalho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*