Low-level Laser Therapy Research Articles

Evaluation of the Detrimental Impact of Low-Intensity Laser Radiation on the Characteristics of Sperm Movement, Motion, and DNA Damage

It is generally accepted that low-level laser therapy promotes cellular energy production and increases the synthesis of ATP by triggering the mitochondrial electron transport chain's photosensitive cytochrome c oxidase complex. Nevertheless, this investigation aimed to examine the possible adverse impact on sperm function and DNA integrity of low-intensity laser radiation with a wavelength of 980 nm. Following standard analysis, forty semen samples were collected and categorized as either asthenospermic, oligospermic, or normospermic. The remaining semen was subjected to standard semen analysis, and the aliquots were divided into treatment and control groups. A continuous-wave 980 nm laser with an output power of 100 mW and an energy density of 10 J/cm2 was applied to the treated samples for 30 s. Divided samples underwent incubation at 37oC, and semen analysis was used to assess aliquots at 30 s and 2 h intervals. Following the incubation time, each sample was frozen in 250 mL at -80oC until DNA fragmentation was examined using flow cytometry. Thirty minutes after treatment, there was a noticeable increase in sperm movement; the rise was largest in oligospermic and asthenospermic samples (88%) while samples of normal sperm displayed the least increment (7.5%). There was no discernible increase in DNA damage in the treatment samples compared to the control samples. The treatment samples had 21.8% and the control samples had 25.3% of the DNA fragmentation index. The dynamics of sperm motion were noticeably altered. Short-term exposure to low-level laser radiation appeared to improve the motion and movement of treated sperm, and after 2 h, there was no increase in DNA damage. Asthenospermia and mitochondrial dysfunction may be related in some circumstances. To fully understand the ramifications of these results for possible medicinal applications, more research is needed. Our research's conclusions suggest that low-level laser stimulation is a useful and safe technique for identifying viable immotile spermatozoa in a particular sample. It may also cause these spermatozoa to move about, which could have positive therapeutic effects.

Effectiveness of phentolamine mesylate, vibration and photobiomodulation in reducing pain and the reversal of local anesthesia: A systematic review.

Dental anesthesia administration often triggers unpleasant sensations, particularly needle injection-related pain, which can evoke fear among patients, especially in the pediatric population. Vibration and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) have been extensively studied as potential methods for alleviating pain. Additionally, phentolamine mesylate (PM) has shown promise in reducing the duration of anesthesia. From a clinical perspective, inadequate control over the persistence of the anesthetic effect may lead to complications associated with its prolonged duration, such as self-injuries or functional impairments. This review aimed to systematically summarize and compare methods of alleviating pain during local anesthesia and reducing its duration. In November 2023, an electronic search was systematically conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using keywords (pain) AND (anesthesia) AND ((phentolamine) or (vibration) or (LLLT) OR (PBM)). The initial pool consisted of 495 records, from which 241 duplicates were eliminated. After careful examination of the remaining articles, 40 were included. The study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Most studies reported beneficial effects of LLLT and vibration; however, some did not corroborate these findings. Four studies had inconclusive results. Regarding anesthesia duration involving PM and LLLT, the majority of studies exhibited notable reductions, although no significant differences were revealed in 1 study. Vibration and LLLT appear to be advantageous methods in alleviating pain associated with local anesthesia administration. Phentolamine mesylate and LLLT are efficient in reversing local anesthesia.

Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Prevention of Chemotherapy Induced Oral Mucositis in Children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical trial.

Many preventive modalities have been advocated to reduce the incidence and severity of chemotherapy-induced Oral Mucositis (OM). Photobiomodulation, also known as Low-Level laser. Therapy, has shown promising results. This clinical trial was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Photobiomodulation (PBM) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) in children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed, including forty-two children diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) admitted to receiving chemotherapy (CT) at Children's Cancer Hospital 57357, Cairo, Egypt. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control or test group. Both groups followed the standard preventive protocol for oral mucositis. In the control group I sham therapy, while in the Laser group I had Photobiomodulation sessions for five consecutive days once a day performed by Diode laser (Sirrolaser Blue ™, USA) 660nm, 15watt, 10 s. Laser sessions began on day 1 of chemotherapy and were repeated on days 2,3, 4, and 5. The response to both groups was evaluated according to the development of oral mucositis; graded using the classification criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Cancer Institute scale (NCI - Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0). Incidence of oral mucositis was evaluated from baseline to 5, 12, 19, and 30 days after treatment. A clinical significant difference between the laser and control group was observed. The laser group showed a higher prevalence of no oral mucositis with decreased incidence of OM, while on day 12, the control group showed a higher prevalence of grades I and II (P-value <0.001, effect size = 0.796). However, the laser group showed higher prevalence of mucosa free of OM; on day 19, the control group showed higher rates of grades II and III, (P-value <0.001, effect size = 0.670). while on day 30 there was higher rates of grades I and II (P-value <0.001, effect size = 0.576) with higher rates of healthy oral mucosa in the laser group. Photobiomodulation effectively reduces the incidence and severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in pediatric patients diagnosed with AML.

The power of 810 nm near-infrared photobiomodulation therapy for human asthenozoospermia

Sperm motility is a crucial factor in male fertility. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been reported to increase sperm motility, but a consistent approach suitable for identifying standardizable protocols is lacking. We collected asthenozoospermic (n = 70) and normozoospermic (n = 20) semen. The asthenozoospermic samples were irradiated with an 810 nm diode laser, in continuous wave mode, at 0.25 W, 0.5 W, 1 W and 2 W for 60 s on a circular area of 1 cm2 through a novel handpiece with an innovative flat-top profile. Sperm motility was assessed immediately, after 30 and 60 min. A sample size calculator, unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used for statistics. One and 2 W were the most effective outputs in increasing progressive motility compared to control (p < 0.001). The maximum effect was immediately after 1 W-PBM (p < 0.001) and decreased after 60 min (p < 0.001). Time physiologically decreased vitality (p < 0.001), but less in the 1 W-PBM samples (p < 0.05). 1 W-PBM did not affect chromatin condensation. Asthenozoospermic samples displayed an impairment of 80% in oxygen consumption and ATP production and a slight inefficiency of oxidative phosphorylation compared to normozoospermic samples (p < 0.001). 1 W-PBM partially restored the functionality of aerobic metabolism (p < 0.001) by recovery of oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. PBM did not affect lactate dehydrogenase (glycolysis pathway). No irradiated samples increased accumulated malondialdehyde, a marker of lipidic peroxidation. In conclusion, PBM improves progressive motility in asthenozoospermia through increased mitochondrial energetic metabolism without harmful oxidative stress.

Effect of Nd:YAG Laser Irradiation of the Growth of Oral Biofilm

Background: Oral microbiota comprises a wide variety of microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nd:YAG laser with a 1064 nm wavelength on the in vitro growth of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Streptococcus mutans clinical strains, as well as their biofilm. The study also aimed to determine whether the parameters recommended for photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, typically used for tissue wound healing, have any additional antibacterial or antifungal effects. Material and Methods: Single- and dual-species planktonic cell solution and biofilm cultures of Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata were irradiated using an Nd:YAG laser (LightWalker; Fotona; Slovenia) with a flat-top Genova handpiece. Two test groups were evaluated: Group 1 (G-T1) exposed to low power associated parameters (irradiance 0.5 W/cm2) and Group 2 (G-T2) with higher laser parameters (irradiance 1.75 W/cm2). Group 3 (control) was not exposed to any irradiation. The lasers’ effect was assessed both immediately after irradiation (DLI; Direct Laser Irradiation) and 24 h post-irradiation (24hLI) of the planktonic suspension using a quantitative method (colony-forming units per 1 mL of suspension; CFU/mL), and the results were compared with the control group, in which no laser was applied. The impact of laser irradiation on biofilm biomass was assessed immediately after laser irradiation using the crystal violet method. Results: Nd:YAG laser irradiation with photobiomodulation setting demonstrated an antimicrobial effect with the greatest immediate reduction observed in S. mutans, achieving up to 85.4% reduction at the T2 settings. However, the laser’s effectiveness diminished after 24 h. In single biofilm cultures, the highest reductions were noted for C. albicans and S. mutans at the T2 settings, with C. albicans achieving a 92.6 ± 3.3% reduction and S. mutans reaching a 94.3 ± 5.0% reduction. Overall, the T2 settings resulted in greater microbial reductions compared to T1, particularly in biofilm cultures, although the effectiveness varied depending on the microorganism and culture type. Laser irradiation, assessed immediately after using the crystal violet method, showed the strongest biofilm reduction for Streptococcus mutans in the T2 settings for both single-species and dual-species biofilms, with higher reductions observed in all the microbial samples at the T2 laser parameters (p &lt; 0.05) Conclusion: The Nd:YAG laser using standard parameters typically applied for wound healing and analgesic effects significantly reduced the number of Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; and Streptococcus mutans strains.

The anti-inflammatory role of therapeutic ultrasound and low-level laser in chronic rhinosinusitis: A fractional exhaled nitric oxide outcome hypothesis

Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as a complex of disorders whose main feature is nasal and paranasal sinus mucosal inflammation for at least three months. Inflammation plays a key role in chronic rhinosinusitis. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide is used to monitor eosinophilic airway inflammation in the human lower airways. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels are paradoxically low in some chronic rhinosinusitis patients. This has been attributed to sinus ostia obstruction. However, a recent study has demonstrated that fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels could serve as a chronic rhinosinusitis inflammation biomarker independent of lower airway inflammatory disease and could be used as a treatment response biomarker. Therapeutic ultrasound and low-level laser therapy have been used in chronic rhinosinusitis management. Through a variety of mechanisms, ultrasound enhances bacterial killing. Low level laser therapy increases nitric oxide release and ATP levels. It also reduces inflammation and accelerates tissue repair. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels could be used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory actions of therapeutic ultrasound and low-level laser therapy in chronic rhinosinusitis patients. A hypothesis that fractional expired nitric oxide measurements could be a useful biomarker to evaluate their potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms and monitor their treatment efficacy is proposed. This could contribute to a better understanding of these therapies in chronic rhinosinusitis management. An improved understanding of treatment efficacy could lead to improved management strategies.

The effect of low-level laser therapy on external anal sphincter repair and treatment of fecal incontinence: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

The effect of low-level laser therapy on external anal sphincter repair and treatment of fecal incontinence: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

OS EFEITOS DA LASERTERAPIA EM CICATRIZAÇÃO MAMILAR PARA MULHERES NO PROCESSO DE AMAMENTAÇÃO

INTRODUCTION: Breast milk is a great source of nutrients for the baby's immunological and psychological development, and has a strong impact on infant mortality. It all starts in the thirty-second week of gestation, as this is the time when the fetus begins to show sucking reflexes. The breastfeeding process can be very difficult, since if there is no monitoring, there may be cracks in the breasts, making the process very painful. METHODS: This is a descriptive and qualitative study, which took place in person and virtually in the city of Porto Velho/RO at the Physiotherapy School Clinic of the São Lucas University Center, with the objective of hearing reports from women/mothers who are or have been exclusively breastfeeding. Thirty-eight female women, aged 20 years and older, were selected to report their breastfeeding process as lactating women. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: One of the reasons for this development is the incorrect breastfeeding process. The main risk factors identified were: the baby's latch on to the mother's breast, where there is incompatibility between mother and child, primary and race/color of the mother defined as white or yellow. Many lactating women end up thinking that all they have to do is let the baby latch on to the breast and perform the suction, since even the positioning of the child interferes in the process. It was also evident in the interviews that most of the women did not perform the procedure due to lack of knowledge, often not being instructed by the health professional, or for fear of the effects of the procedure, since most of the women interviewed are very young and from lower social classes, they end up having this transgression of low performance of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Laser therapy has been shown to be an effective and safe intervention in the treatment of breast fissures, a common complication during breastfeeding that can cause intense pain and difficulties in breastfeeding. By using low-level laser therapy, it is possible to promote healing of injured tissues, relieve pain and reduce inflammation, providing greater comfort to mothers and encouraging continued breastfeeding. The importance of this treatment lies in its rapid and non-invasive effect, offering an alternative to traditional therapies, such as ointments and dressings, which often do not provide immediate or complete relief. In addition, laser therapy helps to prevent early weaning, contributing to the well-being of the baby and the mother, since exclusive breastfeeding is essential in the first months of life.

Lasers efficacy in pain management after primary and secondary endodontic treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Postoperative pain is a common concern following root canal treatments (RCT), impacting both patients and oral health practitioners. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laser treatment modalities in reducing postoperative pain compared to conventional methods after primary and secondary RCT in permanent mature teeth. A search of three electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, and The Cochrane Library) was conducted, using a broad range of keywords and terms. Gray literature and manual searches were conducted to complement the search. The inclusion criteria included randomized clinical trials based on the objective of the secondary study. A minimum sample size of 10 participants per group and a clearly defined criterion for postoperative pain assessment were required. The characteristics of the included studies were presented as tables. The Cochrane collaboration tool RoB 2.0 was used to assess the risk of bias within each study. Two reviewers extracted the data and assessed the studies independently, and discrepancies were resolved through consultation with a third reviewer. A random-effects model was employed for meta-analysis to estimate the overall effect measure. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q test and the I2 index. Publication bias was explored via Funnel plots and Egger’s test. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted to assess variations among laser methods and examine the influence of independent factors. The significance threshold for all analyses was set at 5% (α = 0.05). Intraoral laser therapy demonstrated no significant advantage over conventional treatments but consistently outperformed placebo, particularly from 4 to 72 h post-treatment. Low-level laser therapy provided slight pain reduction in the first 8 h, though its effectiveness diminished in retreatment scenarios. Photodynamic therapy and laser disinfection showed marginal benefits, especially shortly after treatment, with reduced efficacy in longer-term or retreatment contexts. Further research is needed to explore different applications of laser modalities and assess distinct prognostic factors in more detail.

Photobiomodulation mitigates diastolic dysfunction, reduces perivascular fibrosis and inflammation, and enhances mitochondrial metabolism and angiogenesis in a mouse model of HFpEF

Abstract Introduction Emerging molecular evidence implicates mitochondrial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and capillary rarefaction as pivotal contributors to the pathophysiology of HFpEF. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has garnered attention for its potential to augment mitochondrial metabolism, attenuate inflammation, and foster angiogenesis. This investigation aims to delineate the effects of PBM on the pathophysiology of HFpEF in a murine model. Methods To induce HFpEF, 3-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a '2-hit model' involving a high-fat diet combined with the vasoconstrictor nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). PBM therapy was administered transdermally over the cardiac region thrice weekly for a duration of 10 weeks using a 904nm super-pulsed laser, with each session lasting 90 seconds and delivering an energy density of 4.2J/cm^2 per diode to a cohort of 12 mice. A sham group of 13 mice underwent identical procedures with the laser deactivated. An additional control group of 10 mice was maintained on a standard diet without any interventions. Echocardiographic assessments were performed at the outset, 7th and 10th week time. Following the 10-week period, mice were euthanized, their hearts harvested and serum withdrawn for further analysis. Results Echocardiography of PBM-treated animals demonstrated significant attenuation of deterioration of diastolic parameters (E’) compared to the sham-treated control group (E’[mm/sec], baseline-vs-10w: PBM, -32.1±5.9-vs- -27.9±6.4; sham, -32.9±8.6-vs- -22.5±5.7; p=0.037). Histological analysis of the cardiac tissue involving picrosirius red staining for collagen revealed that the HFpEF model induced a significant increase in the standardized adventitial collagen compared to controls, which was attenuated by PBM (control 3.0±1.6; HFpEF sham: 3.9±1.8; PBM: 3.4±1.9, p=0.008 control vs sham, p=0.055 PBM vs control; p=0.396 control vs PBM). Multiplex analysis of HFpEF mice showed significantly higher levels of inflammatory chemokines than controls that were attenuated by PBM (mean±SD log[pg/ml] of the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1 (CXCL-1): PBM=2.52±0.29, Control=2.14±0.35; monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1): PBM=0.87±0.46, HFpEF=1.5±0.58, Control=0.8±0.6; p&amp;lt;0.001 and p=0.003 respectively). RNA sequencing revealed 551 genes with significant differential expression (DE) between PBM and Controls (adjusted p-value [padj]&amp;lt;0.1). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) analysis revealed that PBM upregulated genes pertaining to mitochondrial metabolism and down-regulated genes active in mitochondrial dysfunction (qPCR [GAPDH] 2–∆∆Ct fold change PBM/Sham: Ndufv2=3.7, Atp5md=3.5, Dnhd1=0.5). Relevant DE genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Conclusions PBM attenuated Diastolic dysfunction, fibrosis, pro-inflammatory chemokine secretion and upregulates mitochondrial metabolism in a mouse model of HFpEF.Study designResults

The Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing and Pain Management in Skin Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing and Pain Management in Skin Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Exploring photobiomodulation in the management of bowel diseases: a concise critical review.

The complexity of the gastrointestinal system plays a crucial role in coordinating essential processes such as digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) pose significant treatment challenges due to their complex aetiology and varied symptoms. Conventional therapeutic approaches often involve pharmacological interventions, which may have side effects and limited efficacy. Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level light therapy, has emerged as a promising therapeutic or adjunctive alternative in the treatment of intestinal diseases. The search was conducted in the MEDLINE database via PubMed, SCOPUS, covering the period from 1990 to 2024. A total of 72 studies were selected, of which 9 focused on inflammatory bowel diseases IBD, including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Among these studies, 1 was clinical protocol while eight experimental. The results showed that PBM has a significant positive effect in IBD studies in rats, with reduction of intestinal inflammation, improvement of mucosal integrity, and modulation of the immune response. However, no clinical studies were found necessary to obtain results and establish effective and safe treatment protocols. Nevertheless, PBM holds potential as a non-invasive and complementary therapeutic approach for managing IBD, offering new perspectives for the treatment of chronic intestinal diseases. Therefore, this brief review emphasizes the need to transition from preclinical research to clinical research on this topic and highlights the scarcity of clinical studies.

Photobiomodulation as a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review Paper

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is a leading neurodegenerative disorder currently affecting approximately 55 million individuals globally, a number projected to escalate to 139 million by 2050. Despite extensive research spanning several decades, the cure for AD remains at a developing stage. The only existing therapeutic options are limited to symptom management, and are often accompanied by adverse side effects. The pathological features of AD, including the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles, result in progressive neuronal death, synaptic loss, and brain atrophy, leading to significant cognitive decline and a marked reduction in quality of life. Objective: In light of the shortcomings of existing pharmacological interventions, this review explores the potential of photobiomodulation (PBM) as a non-invasive therapeutic option for AD. PBM employs infrared light to facilitate cellular repair and regeneration, focusing on addressing the disease’s underlying biomechanical mechanisms. Method: This paper presents a comprehensive introduction to the mechanisms of PBM and an analysis of preclinical studies evaluating its impact on cellular health, cognitive function, and disease progression in AD.The review provides a comprehensive overview of the various wavelengths and application methods, evaluating their efficacy in mitigating AD-related symptoms. Conclusions: The findings underscore the significant potential of PBM as a safe and effective alternative treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, emphasizing the necessity for further research and clinical trials to establish its therapeutic efficacy conclusively.

The effects of photobiomodulation and/or azithromycin treatment on bone resorption biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with stage III-IV grade C periodontitis.

This study aims to investigate the impact of photobiomodulation (PBM) and/or azithromycin (AZM) therapy in combination with full-mouth subgingival instrumentation (FSI) on receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels and RANKL/OPG ratios in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) on patients with stage III-IV grade C periodontitis. The study was conducted on 77 stage III-IV grade C periodontitis patients and 20 periodontally healthy controls. Patients with stage III-IV grade C periodontitis were categorized into four treatment groups: 1) only FSI (FSI) group; 2) FSI&#43;AZM (AZM) group; 3)FSI&#43;PBM (PBM) group and 4) FSI&#43;PBM&#43;AZM (AZM&#43;PBM) group. Clinical periodontalparameters and RANKL and OPG levels and RANKL/OPG ratios in GCF were measured at thebaseline and month 3rd of the therapy. Compared with the periodontally healthy controls,all the baseline clinical parameters were higher in the Stage III-IV grade C periodontitis groups (P< 0.05); however, there were no statistically significant differences between the Stage III-IV gradeC periodontitis groups (P>0.05). In month 3rd, the lowest values in all clinical parameters weregenerally observed in the antibiotics groups whereas the highest values were observed in the FSIgroup. Furthermore, the highest RANKL and OPG values in antibiotic groups and the highestRANKL/OPG ratio in PBM group were observed in the third months. RANKL/OPG ratios did notchange in the FSI and antibiotics groups after the treatment, but it increased significantly in thePBM group. While PBM treatment combined with FSI increases the RANKL levels,AZM increases OPG levels. Also, PBM&#43;AZM treatment shows additional clinical andimmunological beneficial efficacy.

Photobiomodulation on shoulder and neck pain and disability: A comprehensive review.

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effect of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in managing shoulder and neck pain and disability. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed and ScienceDirect/EMBASE databases. The keywords used were "Low-level laser therapy", "photobiomodulation", "LASER", combined with "shoulder" or "neck". Only clinical studies written in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, were included. The review included 36 studies applying PBM therapy to alleviate pain or disability in patients with shoulder and neck conditions. Of these, 12 studies focused on neck conditions, and 24 studies addressed shoulder conditions, with one study concurrently examining both areas. This review on PBM therapy for shoulder and neck conditions shows promising results, particularly in pain relief and functional improvements, with infrared wavelengths being the most commonly used. Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SAIS) and Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) were the most frequently studied conditions. However, chronic and complex conditions like cervical osteoarthritis and post-stroke shoulder pain were less frequently represented, indicating a research gap. PBM was found to be a safe and non-invasive therapeutic option. Despite positive outcomes, variability in PBM protocols remains a challenge. Further standardized trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness across diverse conditions. This review updates current knowledge, highlights key findings, and provides direction for future research and clinical applications.

Photobiomodulation and Physical Exercise Modulate of Cell Survival Proteins in the Skeletal Muscle of Rats with Heart Failure and Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) are global health problems that often lead to muscle atrophy. These conditions are associated with increased autophagy and apoptosis in the muscle cells, resulting in decreased muscle mass. Physical exercise associated with photobiomodulation (PBM) seems promising to attenuate the skeletal muscle changes caused by HF and DM2, due to its direct effects on mitochondria, which may result in an increase in antioxidant capacity. Objective: To verify the influence of physical exercise and the association with PBM on autophagy, apoptosis, and cell survival signaling pathways in myocytes from rats with HF and DM2. Materials and Methods: Male rats were assigned to one of four groups: control (CT), HF+DM (disease model), exercise+HF+DM (EX+HF+DM), and EX+HF+DM+PBM (EX+HF+DM+PBM). To induce DM2, we administered streptozotocin (STZ) (0.25 mL/kg, intraperitoneally). HF was induced by coronary ligation. One week post-induction, an 8-week aerobic exercise and PBM protocol was initiated. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and autophagy. Results: The EX+HF+DM+PBM group showed a substantial increase in Nrf2, p-AKT, and LC3-I levels compared to the HF+DM group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that physical exercise combined with PBM can upregulate proteins that promote myocyte survival in rats with HF and DM2.

The benefits of photobiomodulation in animal models of multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Photobiomodulation (PBM), using red- or near-infrared light, has been used to treat tendinopathies, nerve injuries, osteoarthritis and wounds and evaluated in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). To date, only a few studies have been performed in EAE but surprisingly, a few clinical studies in humans have already been performed, despite the paucity of preclinical evidence. Therefore, this study systematically reviewed the usefulness of PBM in ameliorating the clinical signs of EAE, a commonly used animal model of multiple sclerosis, and determine if there is enough evidence to warrant human studies. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched in July 2024 for studies relating to PBM and EAE without any language restrictions. Since only three studies have been published, all studies were included in the systematic review and data related to clinical signs of EAE was pooled together to conduct a meta-analysis. Non-homogenous data was also reported and thematically synthesized. A meta-analysis of the pooled data from the three included studies demonstrated a significant reduction of the clinical severity of EAE, with a mean reduction of 1.44, 95% CI (-2.45, -0.42), p = 0.006. PBM also significantly reduced other parameters such as infiltration of mononuclear cells, CNS demyelination, apoptosis markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, there was an overall high risk of bias in all of the studies. The meta-analysis supports the use of PBM to ameliorate the symptoms of EAE, but the paucity of studies and the high risk of bias in the included studies warrants further preclinical investigation before conducting human studies.

Clinical Improvement and P63-Deficiency Correction in OLP Patients After Photobiomodulation

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with the formation of symptomatic lesions in the mouth. P63 is essential for epidermal development and regeneration. Weak expression of this protein has been shown in OLP lesions. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been reported to reduce OLP symptoms, but its ability to correct the molecular perturbations of the disease has not been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PBM in OLP treatment by evaluating changes in p63 expression and their association with clinical response. Methods: Twenty OLP patients underwent PBM with a diode laser (810 nm), (0.50 W, 30 s, 1.2 J/cm2), 3 times weekly for a month. The treatment efficacy index (EI) was calculated based on pain-level values and clinical scores of lesions before and after therapy. Biopsies were taken before and after therapy, analyzed immunohistochemically for p63 expression, and compared with 10 healthy controls. Results: P63 levels in OLP lesions were significantly lower than those in normal oral mucosa. After treatment, the pain level and clinical scores of the lesions decreased significantly. The calculated EI showed PBM effectiveness in 90% of cases. Increased p63 positivity and staining intensity were observed after therapy. Conclusions: The established p63 deficiency in OLP lesions is likely an important molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of the disease. Laser irradiation at 810 nm increased p63 expression to a level close to that found in the healthy epithelium and significantly improved the symptoms and clinical signs of OLP. All of this determines the effectiveness of PBM therapy in the management of OLP.

Near-infrared light stimulation regulates neural oscillation and memory behavior of mice with Alzheimer's disease.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique for the brain. Low-intensity near-infrared light (1-500 mw) has demonstrated the ability to improve memory in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice, suggesting its potential for AD treatment. However, the impact of PBM on neural oscillations in the hippocampal region affected by AD remains unknown. In this study, AD model mice were subjected to PBM for 60 days and then tested using novel object recognition behavior (NOR) experiments. During behavioral experiments, local field potential signals (LFP) of the mice was recorded using a single electrode in the CA1 region to analyze memory ability and neural oscillation characteristics. The results revealed that mice stimulated with PBM exhibited significantly higher new object differentiation indices compared to the Sham group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, PBM stimulation led to a significant increase in relative power and sample entropy of theta and gamma bands (p < 0.01). The coupling intensities of θ-low-γ and θ-high-γ were also significantly higher in the PBM group compared to the Sham group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, these findings suggest that PBM may improve memory ability in AD mice through regulation of neural oscillation characteristics, providing a theoretical basis for utilizing PBM as a treatment modality for Alzheimer's disease.

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of patients with post-COVID-19 erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Non-drug therapy has proven to be the most effective and convenient method in the treatment of patients with post-Covid erectile dysfunction. One of these treatments is low-level laser therapy. The advantage of this method is the high therapeutic effect of a low-intensity laser on the function of the pudendal nerve and on the endothelium of the vessels of the cavernous body. AIM: To study the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of patients with post-Covid erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under our supervision from 2021 to 2023. At the medical center Medical Dental Institute there were 40 patients diagnosed with post-Covid erectile dysfunction. The control group (n=20) of patients underwent a 2-month course of standard drug therapy, and the main group, in addition to drug therapy, underwent a course of low-intensity laser therapy. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and quality of life was assessed using the Life Satisfaction Index (LSIA). RESULTS: After treatment erectile function improved in the control group by 11.7% (p 0.05) and in the main group by 33.1% (p 0.05). The quality of life satisfaction in the control group increased by 28.7% (p 0.05) in the control group and by 87% (p 0.05) in the main group. CONCLUSION: The use of a contact red laser with a wavelength of 635 nm was 1.8 times more effective than standard drug therapy in restoring erectile function. In addition, the improvement in life satisfaction during low-intensity laser therapy exceeded these indicators in the control group by 2 times.