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Low-level laser therapy (LLLT; 780 nm) acts differently on mRNA expression of anti- and pro-inflammatory mediators in an experimental model of collagenase-induced tendinitis in rat

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Abstract

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been found to produce anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of disorders. Tendinopathies are directly related to unbalance in expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines which are responsible by degeneration process of tendinocytes. In the current study, we decided to investigate if LLLT could reduce mRNA expression for TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β cytokines, and COX-2 enzyme. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided randomly in seven groups, and tendinitis was induced with a collagenase intratendinea injection. The mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR in 7th and 14th days after tendinitis. LLLT irradiation with wavelength of 780 nm required for 75 s with a dose of 7.7 J/cm2 was administered in distinct moments: 12 h and 7 days post tendinitis. At the 12 h after tendinitis, the animals were irradiated once in intercalate days until the 7th or 14th day in and them the animals were killed, respectively. In other series, 7 days after tendinitis, the animals were irradiated once in intercalated days until the 14th day and then the animals were killed. LLLT in both acute and chronic phases decreased IL-6, COX-2, and TGF-β expression after tendinitis, respectively, when compared to tendinitis groups: IL-6, COX-2, and TGF-β. The LLLT not altered IL-1β expression in any time, but reduced the TNF-α expression; however, only at chronic phase. We conclude that LLLT administered with this protocol reduces one of features of tendinopathies that is mRNA expression for pro-inflammatory mediators.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the “Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo” (FAPESP) for the grants numbers 2007/02596-7, under which this research was conducted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Research and Development, Av. Shishima Hifumi, 2911, Urbanova, CEP, 12.244-000, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil

    Débora Pires

  2. Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Universidade Camilo Castelo Branco – UNICASTELO, Rodovia Presidente Dutra, km 138, 122470-004, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Murilo Xavier, Flavio Aimbire & Regiane Albertini

  3. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, UNINOVE, Rua Vergueiro, 235, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Tiago Araújo, José Antônio Silva Jr. & Regiane Albertini

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  1. Débora Pires
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Correspondence to Regiane Albertini.

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Pires, D., Xavier, M., Araújo, T. et al. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT; 780 nm) acts differently on mRNA expression of anti- and pro-inflammatory mediators in an experimental model of collagenase-induced tendinitis in rat. Lasers Med Sci 26, 85–94 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-010-0811-z

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