title: Comparative effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and low-level laser therapy on injured skeletal muscle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on injured skeletal muscle after cryolesion by means of histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry for cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups: intact control group with uninjured and untreated animals; injured control group with muscle injury and no treatment; LLLT-treated group with muscle injury treated with 830-nm laser; and US-treated group with muscle injury treated with US. Treatments started 24 h postsurgery and were performed during six sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LLLT-treated animals presented minor degenerative changes of muscle tissue. Exposure to US reduced tissue injuries induced by cryolesion, but less effectively than LLLT. A large number of COX-2 positive cells were found in untreated injured rats, whereas COX-2 immunoexpression was lower in both LLLT- and US-treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that both LLLT and US therapies have positive effects on muscle metabolism after an injury in rats, but LLLT seems to produce a better response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil. a.renno@unifesp.br
authors.forename: Ana Claudia Muniz
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Rennó
authors.forename: Renata Luri
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Toma
authors.forename: Suellen Maurin
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Paulo S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bossini
authors.forename: Poliani
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Nivaldo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parizotto
authors.forename: Daniel Araki
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
chemical_list: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2