title: Aerobic exercise training and low-level laser therapy modulate inflammatory response and degenerative process in an experimental model of knee osteoarthritis in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic exercise training and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (associated or not) on degenerative modifications and inflammatory mediators on the articular cartilage using an experimental model of knee OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group (CG); knee OA control group (OAC); OA plus exercise training group (OAT); OA plus LLLT group (OAL); OA plus exercise training associated with LLLT group (OATL). The exercise training (treadmill; 16 m/min; 50 min/day) and the laser irradiation (two points-medial and lateral side of the left joint; 24 sessions) started 4 weeks after the surgery, 3 days/week for 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that all treated groups showed (irradiated or not) a better pattern of tissue organization, with less fibrillation and irregularities along the articular surface and chondrocytes organization, a lower degenerative process measured by OARSI score and higher thickness values. Additionally, all treated group showed a reduced expression in IL-1β, caspase-3 and MMP-13 compared to OAC. Moreover, a lower caspase-3 expression was observed in OATL compared to OAL and OAT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that exercise training and LLLT were effective in preventing cartilage degeneration and modulating inflammatory process induced by knee OA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: livinha_fisio@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Assis
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Milares
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magri
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Medalha
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C Muniz
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Renno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / Q000378:metabolism; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013264:Stifle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: C000594089:IL1B protein, rat; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; C507083:Mmp13 protein, rat
keywords: Articular cartilage; Knee osteoarthritis; Low-level laser therapy; Rehabilitation