To analyze the effect of photobiomodulation and dexamethasone on nerve regeneration after a sciatic nerve crushing model. Twenty-six Swiss mice were divided into the following groups: naive; sham; injured, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (660 nm, 10 J/cm, 0.6 J, 16.8 J total energy emitted during the 28 days of radiation, 20 s, for 28 days); dexamethasone (Dex) (local injection of 2 mg/kg for 10 consecutive days); and LLLT group associated with Dex (LLLT/Dex), with the same parameters of the other groups. For nerve injury, a portable adjustable pinch was used. The animals were evaluated using the Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) and Sciatic Static Index (SSI). The results obtained were evaluated with Image J™ and Kinovea™. Data and images were obtained at baseline and after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after surgery. The evaluation of hyperalgesia, using Hargreaves, and behavior through the open field was also performed. In functional and static analysis, all groups presented significant differences when compared to the injured group. In the analysis of the SSI results, the group treated with both LLLT and dexamethasone was more effective in improving the values of this parameter, and in the SFI, the laser-treated group obtained better results. In the evaluation through the open field and the Hargreaves, there was no difference. The application of LLLT and dexamethasone was effective in nerve regeneration according to the results and was more effective when LLLT was associated with dexamethasone than in LLLT alone for the SSI.
Introduction: Different studies have evaluated the effects of electrophysical agents on regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. Among them, the most used in clinical and experimental research is photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Objective: To analyze the effect of standard energy (16.8 J) of PBMT on peripheral nerve regeneration, applied at different periods after sciatic nerve injury in mice. Methods: Thirty male Swiss mice were divided into six groups: naive; sham; control; LLLT-01 (660 nm, 16.8 J of total energy emitted in 1 day); LLLT-04 (660 nm, 4.2 J per day, 16.8 J of total energy emitted in 4 days); LLLT-28, (660 nm, 0.6 J per day, 16.8 J of total energy emitted over 28 days). The animals were evaluated using thermal hyperalgesia, Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), and Static Sciatic Index (SSI). Data were obtained at baseline and after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after surgery. Results: For the SFI and SSI, all groups showed significant differences compared to the control group, and the LLLT-04 group presented the best results among those receiving PBMT. In the assessment of thermal hyperalgesia, there was a significant difference in the 14th day of evaluation in the LLLT-04 group. Conclusion: The application of 16.8 J was useful in sciatic nerve regeneration with an improvement of hyperalgesia, with higher efficacy when applied in four days (4.2 J/day).
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