Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the regeneration of the sciatic nerve in rats following a complete nerve resection. Male Wistar rats were divided into a control injury group, injury groups irradiated with a 660-nm laser at 10 or 50 J/cm2, and injury groups irradiated with an 808-nm laser at 10 or 50 J/cm2. Treatment began 24 h following nerve resection and continued for 15 days. Using the sciatic functional index (SFI), we show that the injured animals treated with 660 nm at 10 and 50 J/cm2 had better SFI values compared with the control injury and the 808-nm groups. Animals irradiated with the 808-nm laser at 50 J/cm2 show higher values for fiber density than do control animals. In addition, axon and fiber diameters were larger in animals irradiated with 660 nm at 50 J/cm2 compared to the control group. These findings indicate that 660-nm LLLT is able to provide functional gait recovery and leads to increases in fiber diameter following sciatic nerve resection.
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Medalha, C.C., Di Gangi, G.C., Barbosa, C.B. et al. Low-level laser therapy improves repair following complete resection of the sciatic nerve in rats. Lasers Med Sci 27, 629–635 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-011-1008-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-011-1008-9