The application of low‐level laser therapy and natural latex protein in the sciatic nerve crushed

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT, 15J/cm2, 780nm) and natural latex protein (P1, 0.1%) in a crush injury (axonotmesis) of the sciatic nerve (15 Kgf, 5.2 MPa, 10 min) in rats. Fifty rats (male, 250g) were allocated into 5 groups (n = 10): G1 ‐ control; G2 ‐ injured nerve; G3 ‐ injured nerve and LLLT; G4 ‐ injured nerve and P1; G5 ‐ injured nerve treated with P1 and LLLT. After 4 or 8 weeks sciatic nerve was dissected and processed for histological quantitation (myelin area/nerve area, capillary density) and ultrastructural analysis. In both periods analyzed the histological quantification showed improvement with application of LLLT and P1. After 8 weeks of crush injury the data from the G4 and G5 are like to the G1 data; and capillary density was higher in G3, G4 and G5. The ultrastructural analysis also revealed improvements in morphological characteristics with the application of LLLT and P1 after 4 and 8 weeks after nerve injury. The groups 4 and 5 show more similar characteristics to the control group. The application of LTTT and P1 improved the recovery of nerve crush 4 and 8 weeks after injury. After 8 weeks the characteristics of the treated groups were more similar to the control and capillary density was higher, revealing time‐dependency in this recovery, overall the groups receiving the protein P1 associated or not with LTTT showed the best results.Research support: FAPESP 2010/12018.