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Can the use of photobiomodulation for localized fat reduction induce changes in lipid profile? A critical integrative review

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to clarify whether PBM for measures reduction can cause significant changes in the lipid profile. This is an integrative review and only original articles, both in vivo and clinical trials, that were published between 2010 and 2022 were selected. The article references were also analyzed to identify additional studies. A total of 15 articles were critically analyzed. The wavelength used ranged from 532 nm (green) to 956 nm (near infrared), and many authors failed to describe dosimetric parameters properly, as well as other important characteristics for the reproducibility of those found. Although it is not fully clear about the PBM interference level on the lipid profile, in general, there was no significant difference in lipid parameters when PBM was used alone, and when associated with techniques that promote beta-oxidation, there was an improvement in these biochemical variables. PBM use for localized fat reduction do not affect lipid serum levels. Clinical trials using standardized parameters are crucial to obtain more reliable results.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001.

Funding

This work was supported by Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE). Michelle Mota Sena is supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal do Nível Superior (CAPES) (www.capes.gov.br) No. 88887.475547/2020–00.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, R. Vergueiro, 235/249, CEP, São Paulo, SP, 01504-001, Brazil

    Michelle Mota Sena, Marcelo Marreira & Christiane Pavani

  2. Medicine and Scientific Initiation Research, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Gabriela Pizani de Almeida, Mariely Teixeira & Mirella Marranghello D’Amico

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Contributions

MMS, MM, and CP contributed to the study conception. The literature search and data analysis were performed by GPA, MT, and MMA, with supervision of MMS and MM. MMS and CP drafted the work. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Christiane Pavani.

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Sena, M.M., Marreira, M., de Almeida, G.P. et al. Can the use of photobiomodulation for localized fat reduction induce changes in lipid profile? A critical integrative review. Lasers Med Sci 38, 23 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-022-03662-5

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