The optimal dose of the Low-level laser therapy in the treatment of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Type 1 DM (T1DM) is caused by an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic s cells. We proposed a novel stimulation using a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) through acupuncture points to stimuli the stem cells to be adult pancreatic s cells. This study aimed to identify an optimal dose of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: An experimental study was performed with a pretestposttest control group design. The intervention was tested in rats (Rattus novergicus, Wistar strain). The rats were made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Rats were treated with different doses of LLLT in 4 groups. The tested laser doses were 0.2 joules (group L1), 0.3 joules (group L2), 0.4 joules(group L3), and 0.5 joules (group L4). The therapy was performed by perpendicularly attaching laser probe to the animal body, at the acupuncture point pishu (BL-20) on respective sides. Results: Rats in the L2 group were performing better compared to others. The highest decrease of blood glucose level was found in group L2. Two rats in the L2 group achieved normal blood glucose level upon laser therapy. The dose of laser therapy in the L2 group of 0.3 joules was found to be the optimum dose. Conclusion: Clinical and statistical analyses indicated that 0.3 joule was the optimal dose for LLLT in our animal model. Further investigation of LLLT in human is warranted, and validation of the identified dose in future studies should be pursued.