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The results demonstrated the effectiveness of tender-point acupuncture treatment on the patients' overall well-being, not only by improving quality of life, but also by reducing the pain sensitivity of FMS.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo response of two different laser fluences (4 and 8 J/cm2) on molecular markers involved in muscle repair after a cryolesion of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Study design: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into six groups: control (C); normal/uninjured TA muscle treated with either 4 J/cm2 (L4J) or 8 J/cm2 (L8J) laser irradiation; injured TA muscle without treatment (IC); and injured TA muscle treated with either 4 J/cm2 (IL4J) or 8 J/cm2 (IL8J) laser irradiation. The injured region was irradiated daily for 5 consecutive days, starting immediately after the cryolesion was set using a GaAlAs laser (continuous wave; wavelength, 830 nm; tip area, 0.0028 cm2; power, 20 mW). The animals were euthanized on the sixth day after injury. The injured right TA muscles were removed for histological evaluation, zymography, and immunoblotting and biotin switch analyses. Nitrite and nitrate plasma levels were measured to evaluate the nitric oxide (NO) production. Results: After low-level laser therapy (LLLT), in both injured treatment groups (IL4J and IL8J) the injured area was reduced, the NO production decreased and the S-nitrosated COX-2 was lowered. Moreover, both laser fluences increased the activity and expression of MMP-2. Conclusion: These results suggest that LLLT, for both fluences, could be an efficient therapeutic approach to modulate molecules involved in injured muscle, accelerating regeneration process.

DedicoAos meus malucos pais que me contaminaram com os genes da curiosidade científica e me trouxeram a essa sofrida vida de pesquisadora. AGRADEÇO:A minha mãe e meu irmão pelas palavras de carinho, compreensão e apoio tão fundamentais durante a realização do projeto.Profundos agradecimentos ao Prof. Dr. Nivaldo Antonio Parizotto por acreditar em minhas capacidades e me abrir as portas de seu laboratório, possibilitando esse meu crescimento científico e acadêmico. Este apoio tanto profissional quanto pessoal, foi de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento com sucesso deste trabalho, e para minha formação como pesquisadora.Ao Prof. Dr Carlos Dias Maciel por ter acreditado em minhas capacidades e habilidades para desenvolver essa pesquisa. Agradeço aos amigos do Grupo