Laser therapy on arthritis induced by urate crystals.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate low-power laser therapy efficacy on fibrinogen (PF) in the plasma of rats with arthritis induced by urate crystals. In addition, anatomopathological (AP) studies were carried out.


BACKGROUND
Raised blood uric acid may form microscopic crystals in the joint. These crystals set up the inflammation called "acute gouty arthritis."


METHODS
Two mg of uric acid were injected in both joints of the lower limbs of rats over 2 days. A group was treated with He-Ne laser (6 mW) on the injected joints during 3 consecutive days. After 96 h of the first injection, animals were sacrificed to determine fibrinogen by spectrophotometry. Sections from the lower limbs were used for AP studies.


RESULTS
A statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in plasma fibrinogen levels was observed in the group injected with urates, when compared to both control group and the laser-treated group. The AP observed in the untreated group showed an intense fibroblastic proliferation and chronic inflammation. In the group treated with laser no inflammatory reaction was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect in arthropathy induced in rats injected with urates, determined by fibrinogen levels and by histological involution.
Campana
Vilma R
VR
Cátedra de Física Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa, Córdoba, Argentina. campanav@hotmail.com
Moya
Mónica
M
Gavotto
Antonio
A
Spitale
Luis
L
Soriano
Fernando
F
Palma
José A
JA
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D053685:Laser Therapy; D051381:Rats; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects
D014527:Uric Acid; D005340:Fibrinogen