title: Low-Level Laser Therapy (780 nm) on VEGF Modulation at Partially Injured Achilles Tendon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the modulatory effects of near infrared (780 nm) low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the presence of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the partially injured Achilles tendons of rats.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  LLLT stimulates the healing process for Achilles tendon injuries, although the extent of the modulatory effect of LLLT on the VEGF levels found in the injured tendons remains unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five male Wistar rats were distributed in the following seven groups: LASER 1, 3, and 7 (10 partially injured Achilles tendons in each group, which were treated with LLLT for 1, 3, and 7 days, respectively); Sham 1, 3, and 7 (same injury, with simulated LLLT); Control group containing the five remaining animals and in which no procedures were performed. LLLT was applied once a day for 10 sec, with a mean power of 70 mW and fluency of 17.5 J/cm(2). After euthanasia, all of the Achilles tendons were surgically removed and the VEGF levels were analyzed using immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VEGF levels remained close to normal (p > 0.05) when comparing the experimental groups (LASER and Sham: 1, 3, and 7) with the Control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LLLT did not stimulate the expression of VEGF in the treated Achilles tendons.
authors.affiliation: 1 Laboratory of Physiopathology, Instituto Butantan , São Paulo, Brazil .
authors.forename: Julio Fernandes
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: de Jesus
authors.affiliation: 1 Laboratory of Physiopathology, Instituto Butantan , São Paulo, Brazil .
authors.forename: Diva Denelle
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Spadacci-Morena
authors.affiliation: 2 Rehabilitation Sciences Program, Universidade Nove de Julho-UNINOVE , São Paulo, Brazil .
authors.forename: Nayra Deise
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Dos Anjos Rabelo
authors.affiliation: 3 Plastic Surgery Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP , São Paulo, Brazil .
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pinfildi
authors.affiliation: 4 Knee and Hip Rehabilitation, Instituto Trata , São Paulo, Brazil .
authors.forename: Thiago Yukio
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.affiliation: 5 Surgery Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP , São Paulo, Brazil .
authors.forename: Helio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Plapler
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A