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Low‐level laser therapy in collagenase‐induced Achilles tendinitis in rats: Analyses of biochemical and biomechanical aspects
Author(s) -
Marcos Rodrigo Labat,
LealJunior Ernesto Cesar Pinto,
Arnold Gilles,
Magnenet Vincent,
Rahouadj Rachid,
Wang Xiong,
Demeurie Frank,
Magdalou Jacques,
de Carvalho Maria Helena Catelli,
LopesMartins Rodrigo Álvaro Brandão
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.22156
Subject(s) - tendinitis , collagenase , medicine , achilles tendon , low level laser therapy , laser therapy , tendinopathy , surgery , pathology , laser , tendon , chemistry , biochemistry , physics , optics , enzyme
NSAIDs are widely prescribed and used over the years to treat tendon injuries despite its well‐known long‐term side effects. In the last years several animal and human trials have shown that low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) presents modulatory effects on inflammatory markers, however the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐term effects of LLLT or sodium diclofenac treatments on biochemical markers and biomechanical properties of inflamed Achilles tendons. Wistar rats Achilles tendons ( n = 6/group) were injected with saline (control) or collagenase at peritendinous area of Achilles tendons. After 1 h animals were treated with two different doses of LLLT (810 nm, 1 and 3 J) at the sites of the injections, or with intramuscular sodium diclofenac. Regarding biochemical analyses, LLLT significantly decreased ( p < 0.05) COX‐2, TNF‐α, MMP‐3, MMP‐9, and MMP‐13 gene expression, as well as prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) production when compared to collagenase group. Interestingly, diclofenac treatment only decreased PGE 2 levels. Biomechanical properties were preserved in the laser‐treated groups when compared to collagenase and diclofenac groups. We conclude that LLLT was able to reduce tendon inflammation and to preserve tendon resistance and elasticity. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1945–1951, 2012