title: Effect of low-level laser therapy on malondialdehyde concentration in random cutaneous flap viability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 830 and 670 nm laser on malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in random skin-flap survival.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been reported to be successful in stimulating the formation of new blood vessels and activating superoxide-dismutase delivery, thus helping the inhibition of free-radical action and consequently reducing necrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty Wistar rats were used and divided into three groups, with 10 rats in each one. A random skin flap was raised on the dorsum of each animal. Group 1 was the control group; group 2 received 830 nm laser radiation; and group 3 was submitted to 670 nm laser radiation. The animals underwent laser therapy with 36 J/cm(2) energy density immediately after surgery and on the 4 days subsequent to surgery. The application site of the laser radiation was 1 point, 2.5 cm from the flap's cranial base. The percentage of the skin-flap necrosis area was calculated 7 days postoperative using the paper-template method, and a skin sample was collected immediately after as a way of determining the MDA concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences were found between the necrosis percentages, with higher values seen in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3. Groups 2 and 3 did not present statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Group 3 had a lower concentration of MDA values compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LLLT was effective in increasing the random skin-flap viability in rats, and the 670 nm laser was efficient in reducing the MDA concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anatomy, University of São Paulo-FMRP-USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. paschoalrp@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Lais
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcolino
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pinfildi
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thomazini
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piccinato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000528:radiation effects; D009336:Necrosis; D051381:Rats; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D008315:Malondialdehyde