Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Anti-inflammatory effect of laser acupuncture in ST36 (Zusanli) acupoint in mouse paw edema

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Lasers in Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in acupuncture is a low-power laser applied to acupoints for providing luminous energy, capable to produce photobiological induction that results in biochemical, bioelectric, and bioenergetic effects. ST36 (Zusanli) is a point of acupuncture commonly used for treatment of several pathological alterations, such as inflammation, acute pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of LLLT (830 nm, 4 J/cm2) in ST36 acupoint through the model of carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice and the possible mechanisms involved. Female Swiss mice were treated with LLLT in ST36 before the paw edema induction, which was measured by means of a digital micrometer and the temperature through a high-resolution digital thermograph. After this, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were quantified. In another set of experiments, the paw edema was induced by bradykinin, histamine, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). LLLT in ST36 acupoint significantly inhibited the edema formation for 4 h after the carrageenan injection and reduced the paw temperature in 10 %. Furthermore, LLLT also reduced the levels of ROS (55 %) and LOOH (50 %) but, however, did not alter the GSH levels. LLLT in ST36 reduced the paw edema induced by bradykinin (30 min, 6 %, 60 min, 7 %), histamine (30 min, 11 %), and PGE2 (90 min, 10 %, 120 min, 16 %). In conclusion, these results prove that LLLT in ST36 acupoint produces a relevant anti-inflammatory effect, reducing edema, temperature, and free radicals levels in mice paw.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yim YK, Lee H, Hong KE, Kim YI, Lee BR, Son CG, Kim JE (2007) Electro-acupuncture at acupoint ST36 reduces inflammation and regulates immune activity in collagen-induced arthritic mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 4(1):51–57. doi:10.1093/ecam/nel054

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Quah-Smith I, Smith C, Crawford JD, Russell J (2013) Laser acupuncture for depression: a randomised double blind controlled trial using low intensity laser intervention. J Affect Disord 148(2–3):179–187. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.11.058

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Erthal V, da Silva MD, Cidral-Filho FJ, Santos AR, Nohama P (2013) ST36 laser acupuncture reduces pain-related behavior in rats: involvement of the opioidergic and serotonergic systems. Lasers Med Sci 28(5):1345–1351. doi:10.1007/s10103-012-1260-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Whittaker P (2004) Laser acupuncture: past, present, and future. Lasers Med Sci 19(2):69–80. doi:10.1007/s10103-004-0296-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Baxter GD, Bleakley C, McDonough S (2008) Clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture: a systematic review. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 1(2):65–82. doi:10.1016/S2005-2901(09)60026-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Artes-Ribas M, Arnabat-Dominguez J, Puigdollers A (2013) Analgesic effect of a low-level laser therapy (830 nm) in early orthodontic treatment. Lasers Med Sci 28(1):335–341. doi:10.1007/s10103-012-1135-y

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Quah-Smith I, Williams MA, Lundeberg T, Suo C, Sachdev P (2013) Differential brain effects of laser and needle acupuncture at LR8 using functional MRI. Acupunct Med 31(3):282–289. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2012-010297

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ferreira DC, De Rossi A, Torres CP, Galo R, Paula-Silva FW, Queiroz AM (2014) Effect of laser acupuncture and auricular acupressure in a child with trismus as a sequela of medulloblastoma. Acupunct Med 32(2):190–193. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013-010484

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Xia H, Guan L, Yang Y (2014) Effect of zusanli (ST 36) moxibustion on rat mesenteric microvascular system. J Tradit Chin Med 34(4):491–497

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Limansky YP, Tamarova ZA, Gulyar SA (2006) Suppression of pain by exposure of acupuncture points to polarized light. Pain Res Manag 11(1):49–57

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Giuliani A, Fernandez M, Farinelli M, Baratto L, Capra R, Rovetta G, Monteforte P, Giardino L, Calza L (2004) Very low level laser therapy attenuates edema and pain in experimental models. Int J Tissue React 26(1–2):29–37

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Maia ML, Bonjardim LR, Quintans Jde S, Ribeiro MA, Maia LG, Conti PC (2012) Effect of low-level laser therapy on pain levels in patients with temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review. J Appl Oral Sci 20(6):594–602

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Zimmermann M (1983) Ethical guidelines for investigations of experimental pain in conscious animals. Pain 16(2):109–110

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Yin CS, Jeong HS, Park HJ, Baik Y, Yoon MH, Choi CB, Koh HG (2008) A proposed transpositional acupoint system in a mouse and rat model. Res Vet Sci 84(2):159–165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Keston AS, Brandt R (1965) The fluorometric analysis of ultramicro quantities of hydrogen peroxide. Anal Biochem 11:1–5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Driver AS, Kodavanti PR, Mundy WR (2000) Age-related changes in reactive oxygen species production in rat brain homogenates. Neurotoxicol Teratol 22(2):175–181

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Jiang ZY, Hunt JV, Wolff SP (1992) Ferrous ion oxidation in the presence of xylenol orange for detection of lipid hydroperoxide in low density lipoprotein. Anal Biochem 202(2):384–389

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Sedlak J, Lindsay RH (1968) Estimation of total, protein-bound, and nonprotein sulfhydryl groups in tissue with Ellman’s reagent. Anal Biochem 25(1):192–205

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Sherwood ER, Toliver-Kinsky T (2004) Mechanisms of the inflammatory response. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 18(3):385–405

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Castardo JC, Prudente AS, Ferreira J, Guimaraes CL, Monache FD, Filho VC, Otuki MF, Cabrini DA (2008) Anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract and two biflavonoids from Garcinia gardneriana leaves in mouse paw oedema. J Ethnopharmacol 118(3):405–411. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.05.002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kim HW, Uh DK, Yoon SY, Roh DH, Kwon YB, Han HJ, Lee HJ, Beitz AJ, Lee JH (2008) Low-frequency electroacupuncture suppresses carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in mice via sympathetic post-ganglionic neurons, while high-frequency EA suppression is mediated by the sympathoadrenal medullary axis. Brain Res Bull 75(5):698–705. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2007.11.015

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Baratto L, Calza L, Capra R, Gallamini M, Giardino L, Giuliani A, Lorenzini L, Traverso S (2011) Ultra-low-level laser therapy. Lasers Med Sci 26(1):103–112. doi:10.1007/s10103-010-0837-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Lee JH, Jang KJ, Lee YT, Choi YH, Choi BT (2006) Electroacupuncture inhibits inflammatory edema and hyperalgesia through regulation of cyclooxygenase synthesis in both peripheral and central nociceptive sites. Am J Chin Med 34(6):981–988

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Iversen V, Aimbire F, Lopes-Martins RA (2006) Low-level laser therapy in acute pain: a systematic review of possible mechanisms of action and clinical effects in randomized placebo-controlled trials. Photomed Laser Surg 24(2):158–168. doi:10.1089/pho.2006.24.158

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Carati CJ, Anderson SN, Gannon BJ, Piller NB (2003) Treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema with low-level laser therapy: a double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Cancer 98(6):1114–1122. doi:10.1002/cncr.11641

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Huang YY, Chen AC, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR (2009) Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy. Dose-Response 7(4):358–383. doi:10.2203/dose-response.09-027.Hamblin

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Litscher G, Opitz G (2012) Technical parameters for laser acupuncture to elicit peripheral and central effects: state-of-the-art and short guidelines based on results from the Medical University of Graz, the German Academy of acupuncture, and the scientific literature. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012:697096. doi:10.1155/2012/697096

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Yu W, Naim JO, Lanzafame RJ (1997) Effects of photostimulation on wound healing in diabetic mice. Lasers Surg Med 20(1):56–63. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1997)20:1<56::AID-LSM9>3.0.CO;2-Y

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Chen RL, Litscher Z (2011) Infrared thermography fails to visualize stimulation-induced meridian-like structures: comment by Rixin Chen and Zhimai Lv and reply from Gerhard Litscher. Biomed Eng Online 10:80. doi:10.1186/1475-925X-10-80, author reply 80

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Litscher G (2005) Infrared thermography fails to visualize stimulation-induced meridian-like structures. Biomed Eng Online 4:38

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Chen R, Lv Z (2011) Infrared thermography fails to visualize stimulation-induced meridian-like structures: comment by Rixin Chen and Zhimai Lv and reply from Gerhard Litscher. Biomed Eng Online 10:80. doi:10.1186/1475-925X-10-80, author reply 80

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Kurath-Koller S, Litscher G, Gross A, Freidl T, Koestenberger M, Urlesberger B, Raith W (2015) Changes of locoregional skin temperature in neonates undergoing laser needle acupuncture at the acupuncture point large intestine 4. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2015:571857. doi:10.1155/2015/571857

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Bandeira F, Moura MAM, Souza MA, Nohama P, Neves EB (2012) Can thermography aid in the diagnosis of muscle injuries in soccer athletes? Rev Bras Med Esporte 18:246–251. doi:10.1590/S1517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, Vecchio D, Pam Z, Pam N, Hamblin MR (2013) Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg 32(1):41–52

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Silveira PCL, Silva LA, Tuon T, Streck EL, Pinho RA (2009) Effects of low-level laser therapy on epidermal oxidative response induced by wound healing. Rev Bras Fisioter, São Carlos 13(4):281–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Medical Thermography, Graduate Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Federal Technological University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, 80230-901, Brazil

    Vanessa Erthal & Percy Nohama

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Sector of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil

    Daniele Maria-Ferreira, Maria Fernanda de Paula Werner & Cristiane Hatsuko Baggio

Authors
  1. Vanessa Erthal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Daniele Maria-Ferreira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Fernanda de Paula Werner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cristiane Hatsuko Baggio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Percy Nohama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Percy Nohama.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Erthal, V., Maria-Ferreira, D., de Paula Werner, M.F. et al. Anti-inflammatory effect of laser acupuncture in ST36 (Zusanli) acupoint in mouse paw edema. Lasers Med Sci 31, 315–322 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-015-1845-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-015-1845-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation