New Research

LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY AMELIORATES DISEASE PROGRESSION IN A MOUSE MODEL OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Gonçalves ED, Souza PS, Lieberknecht V, Fidelis GS, Barbosa RI, Silveira PC, de Pinho RA, Dutra RC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent episodes of T cell-mediated immune attack on central nervous system (CNS) myelin, leading to axon damage and progressive disability. The existing therapies for MS are only partially effective and are associated with undesirable side effects. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been clinically used to treat inflammation, and to induce tissue healing and repair processes. However, there are no reports about the effects and mechanisms of LLLT in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an established model of MS.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Here, we report the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of LLLT (AlGaInP, 660 nm and GaAs, 904 nm) irradiated on the spinal cord during EAE development. EAE was induced in female C57BL/6 mice by immunization with MOG35-55 peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant.

RESULTS: Our results showed that LLLT consistently reduced the clinical score of EAE and delayed the disease onset, and also prevented weight loss induced by immunization. Furthermore, these beneficial effects of LLLT seem to be associated with the down-regulation of NO levels in the CNS, although the treatment with LLLT failed to inhibit lipid peroxidation and restore antioxidant defense during EAE. Finally, histological analysis showed that LLLT blocked neuroinflammation through a reduction of inflammatory cells in the CNS, especially lymphocytes, as well as preventing demyelination in the spinal cord after EAE induction. 

CONCLUSION: Together, our results suggest the use of LLLT as a therapeutic application during autoimmune neuroinflammatory responses, such as MS.

Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26703077

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THERAPEUTIC ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF LASER ACUPUNCTURE ON PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Attia AM, Ibrahim FA, Abd El-Latif NA, Aziz SW, Elwan AM, Abdel Aziz AA, Elgendy A, Elgengehy FT

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The laser acupuncture has many potential therapeutic effects. Currently, they are not evaluated for their therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of laser acupuncture on the oxidative and antioxidative markers, as well as the inflammatory markers and disease activity of RA patients.

DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 RA patients and 20 healthy subjects. The patients were subjected to laser acupuncture (904nm, 100mW power output, 1 minute irradiation time, beam area of 1cm(2) , total energy per point 6J, energy density 6J/cm(2) , irradiance 0.1W/cm(2) , frequency 10000Hz, duty-cycle 100%) for 3 days/week for duration of 4 weeks. The acupuncture points of exposure were LI4, TE5, LI 11, DU 14, LIV3, SP6, GB34, and S36. The levels of oxidative and antioxidant markers were determined by spectrophotometric methods whereas the inflammatory markers were determined by ELISA methods. Lastly, using DAS28 scores the disease activity was assessed.

RESULTS: After laser acupuncture, the study group revealed significantly increased plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase activities, blood glutathione (GSH), and plasma ATP concentrations, compared to those before treatment (P<0.0005). Moreover, the results revealed significantly reduced plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), serum nitrate and nitrite, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and significantly reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in laser exposed patients, compared to those before treatment (P<0.0005). The RA patients subjected to laser acupuncture showed highly significant reduction in disease activity (P<0.0005) based on DAS28 score.

CONCLUSION: Our study results confirmed the effectiveness of laser acupuncture in alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation, improving antioxidant and energy metabolic status, while also suppressing the disease activity in RA patients. Laser acupuncture is a promising treatment modality to reduce the pain and suffering of RA patients because of its efficiency in inhibiting most of the main factors involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26875769

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