title: Effectiveness of an aquatic exercise program and low-level laser therapy on articular cartilage in an experimental model of osteoarthritis in rats.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aquatic exercise program 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.
  
  
  
  Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: knee OA - without treatment (OA); OA plus exercise program group (OAE); OA plus LLLT (OAL); OA plus exercise program associated with LLLT (OAEL). Trained rats performed a water-jumping program carrying a load equivalent to 50-80 % of their body mass strapped to their chest. The laser irradiation was used either as the only method or after the exercise training had been performed, at 2 points contact mode (medial and lateral side of the left joint). The treatments started 4 weeks after the surgery, 3 days/week for 8 weeks.
  
  
  
  The results revealed that all treated groups (irradiated or not) exhibited a better pattern of tissue organization, with less fibrillation and irregularities along the articular surface and improved chondrocytes organization. Also, a lower cellular density and structural damage (OARSI score) and higher thickness values were observed in all treated groups. Additionally, OAE and OAEL showed a reduced expression in IL-1β and caspase-3 as compared with OA. Furthermore, a statistically lower MMP-13 expression was only observed in OAEL as compared with OA.
  
  
  
  These results suggest that aquatic exercise program and LLLT were effective in preventing cartilage degeneration. Also, physical exercise program presented anti-inflammatory effects in the knees in OA rats.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Paulo
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Milares
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Lívia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Assis
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Vitoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Claudino
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Heloisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Domingos
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Thais
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tim
authors.affiliation: a Department of Bioscience , Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Claudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Renno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D053148:Caspase 3; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3
keywords: Aquatic exercise; articular cartilage; knee osteoarthritis; low-level laser therapy; rehabilitation