title: The influence of low-level laser irradiation on spinal cord injuries following ischemia-reperfusion in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if low level laser therapy (LLLT) can decrease spinal cord injuries after temporary induced spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion in rats because of its anti-inflammatory effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty eight rats were randomized into two study groups of 24 rats each. In group I, ischemic-reperfusion (I-R) injury was induced without any treatment. Group II, was irradiated four times about 20 minutes for the following three days. The lesion site directly was irradiated transcutaneously to the spinal direction with 810 nm diode laser with output power of 150 mW. Functional recovery, immunohistochemical and histopathological changes were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average functional recovery scores of group II were significantly higher than that the score of group I (2.86 ± 0.68, vs 1.38 ± 0.09; p<0.05). Histopathologic evaluations in group II were showed a mild changes in compare with group I, that suggested this group survived from I-R consequences. Moreover, as seen from TUNEL results, LLLT also protected neurons from I-R-induced apoptosis in rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low level laser therapy was be able to minimize the damage to the rat spinal cord of reperfusion-induced injury.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, IR.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sotoudeh
authors.affiliation: IAU, Kerman, IR.
authors.forename: Amirali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jahanshahi
authors.affiliation: Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine School, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zareiy
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darvishi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Experimental Science, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, IR.
authors.forename: Nasim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roodbari
authors.affiliation: IAU, Semnan, IR.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bazzazan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome