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Effects of photobiomodulation therapy in chondrocyte response by in vitro experiments and experimental model of osteoarthritis in the knee of rats

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in chondrocyte response by in vitro experiments and cartilage repair using an experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee of rats. The in vitro experiment was performed with chondrocyte cells, and they were divided into two groups: non-irradiated and irradiated with PBM (808 nm; 0.8 J or 1.4 J). Then, cell proliferation was evaluated after 1, 3, and 5 days. The experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA) was performed in the knee of 64 Wistar rats, and they were assorted into control group (CG), PBM (808 nm; 1.4 J). The results of in vitro showed that PBM 1.4 J increased cell proliferation, on days 1 and 5. However, after 3 days was demonstrated a significant increase in cell proliferation in PBM 0.8 J. The in vivo experiment results demonstrated, on histological analysis, that PBM presented less intense signs of tissue degradation with an initial surface discontinuity at the superficial zone and disorganization of the chondrocytes in the cartilage region when compared to CG, after 4 and 8 weeks. These findings were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR analysis which showed that PBM increased IL-4, IL-10, COL-2, Aggrecan, and TGF-β which are anabolic factors and acts on extracellular matrix. Also, PBM reduces the IL1-β, an inflammatory marker that operates as a catabolic factor on articular cartilage. In conclusion, these results suggest that PBM may have led to a return to tissue homeostasis, promoting chondroprotective effects and stimulating the components of the articular tissue.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Brazilian funding agency FAPESP for the financial support of this research (FAPESP 2014/13702-6).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Science and Technology of Brasil University, Carolina Fonseca, São Paulo, SP, 235, Brazil

    Carla Roberta Tim, Lívia Assis, Naldiana Cerqueira Silva & Nivaldo Parizotto

  2. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, São Carlos, SP, 235, Brazil

    Cintia Cristina Santi Martignago & Ana Laura Andrade

  3. Department of Physiology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, São Carlos, SP, 235, Brazil

    Lia Mara Neves

  4. Departments of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, São Carlos, SP, 235, Brazil

    Karina Zambone Pinto

  5. Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Silva Jardim, Santos, SP, 136, Brazil

    Ana Claudia Rennó

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Tim, C.R., Martignago, C.C.S., Assis, L. et al. Effects of photobiomodulation therapy in chondrocyte response by in vitro experiments and experimental model of osteoarthritis in the knee of rats. Lasers Med Sci 37, 1677–1686 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-021-03417-8

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