Low-level laser therapy improves repair following complete resection of the sciatic nerve in rats.
The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the regeneration of the sciatic nerve in rats following a complete nerve resection. Male Wistar rats were divided into a control injury group, injury groups irradiated with a 660-nm laser at 10 or 50 J/cm(2), and injury groups irradiated with an 808-nm laser at 10 or 50 J/cm(2). Treatment began 24 h following nerve resection and continued for 15 days. Using the sciatic functional index (SFI), we show that the injured animals treated with 660 nm at 10 and 50 J/cm(2) had better SFI values compared with the control injury and the 808-nm groups. Animals irradiated with the 808-nm laser at 50 J/cm(2) show higher values for fiber density than do control animals. In addition, axon and fiber diameters were larger in animals irradiated with 660 nm at 50 J/cm(2) compared to the control group. These findings indicate that 660-nm LLLT is able to provide functional gait recovery and leads to increases in fiber diameter following sciatic nerve resection.
Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Avenida Ana Costa 95, CEP 04021-001, Santos, SP, Brazil. cmedalha@unifesp.br
Carla Christina
CC
Medalha
Giuliana Castro
GC
Di Gangi
Caroline Bublitz
CB
Barbosa
Marcela
M
Fernandes
Odair
O
Aguiar
Flávio
F
Faloppa
Vilnei Mattioli
VM
Leite
Ana Claudia Muniz
AC
Renno
D000818:Animals; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*