This study aimed to analyze the protective effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with combination of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on skeletal muscle tissue to delay dystrophy progression in mdx mice (DMD ). To this aim, mice were randomly divided into five different experimental groups: wild type (WT), placebo-control (DMD ), PBMT with doses of 1 J (DMD ), 3 J (DMD ), and 10 J (DMD ). PBMT was performed employing a cluster probe with 9 diodes (1 x 905nm super-pulsed laser diode; 4 x 875nm infrared LEDs; and 4 x 640nm red LEDs, manufactured by Multi Radiance Medical®, Solon - OH, USA), 3 times a week for 14 weeks. PBMT was applied on a single point (tibialis anterior muscle-bilaterally). We analyzed functional performance, muscle morphology, and gene and protein expression of dystrophin. PBMT with a 10 J dose significantly improved (p< 0.001) functional performance compared to all other experimental groups. Muscle morphology was improved by all PBMT doses, with better outcomes with the 3 and 10 J doses. Gene expression of dystrophin was significantly increased with 3 J (p < 0.01) and 10 J (p < 0.01) doses when compared to placebo-control group. Regarding protein expression of dystrophin, 3 J (p < 0.001) and 10 J (p < 0.05) doses also significantly showed increase compared to placebo-control group. We conclude that PBMT can mainly preserve muscle morphology and improve muscular function of mdx mice through modulation of gene and protein expression of dystrophin. Furthermore, since PBMT is a non-pharmacological treatment which does not present side effects and is easy to handle, it can be seen as a promising tool for treating Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by loss of renal function and a consequent increase of serum uremic toxins, which contribute to inflammation status. Deficiency of 25-vitamin D, often found in patients with CKD, has been included as an inflammatory factor since it might modulate the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of 25-vitamin D on inflammatory pathways in healthy and uremic environment. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), oxidative stress (ROS), vitamin D receptor (VDR), 1-α hydroxylase (CYP27), 24 hydroxylase, cathelicidin, and MCP-1 were evaluated in monocytes exposed to a uremic serum pool compared with healthy pool. The human monocytes lineage (U937) was incubated with or without 25-vitamin D (50 ng/ml for 24 hours). TRL4, VDR, CYP27, CYP24, and ROS were evaluated by flow cytometry. We used ELISA to measure IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, cathelicidin, and MCP-1 in the cell culture supernatant. We observed a higher expression of TRL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, cathelicidin and MCP-1 in monocytes incubated with uremic serum when compared with serum from healthy individuals. Supplementation of 25-vitamin D was able to reduce the expression of TRL4, cathelicidin, and MCP-1 in the uremic environment. There was no difference in the expression of VDR, CYP27 and CYP24 intracellular enzymes. This in vitro study showed that the uremic pool activates inflammatory response in monocytes, which was reversed by 25-vitamin D supplementation; this finding suggests that 25-vitamin D has an anti-inflammatory role in the uremic environment. Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by the loss of glomerular filtration rate resulting in serum accumulation of toxic substances, called uremic toxins 1. The accumulation of these compounds is defined as the uremic environment. It has been shown that uremic toxins are capable to induce an inflammatory response in patients with CKD 2-4. Uremic toxins can cause oxidative stress and stimulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines in this population. Several studies have been reported a relationship between uremic toxins (mainly indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate, and indole-3-acetic acid) and inflammation 3,5,6. The indoxyl sulfate has been described to activate NF-ĸB, NADPH oxidase, upregulated mRNA and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) 7-9 , and is also capable to induce endothelial injury with the formation of microvesicles that contribute to endothelial cell progenitors dysfunction 10. The p-cresyl sulfate and indole-3-acetic acid are associated with increased IL-6 and CRP, respectively, in patients with CKD 3,11. When renal function deteriorates to <15 ml/min/1,73 m 2 , patients usually need dialysis support. However, despite the technological advances in the dialysis procedures, thrice weekly conventional hemodialysis is not able to remove all toxins, particularly those too large and/or protein-bounded 12. Therefore, patients on dialysis still have serum circulating uremic toxins. Some studies have demonstrated a direct relati...

Objective To compare the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and pharmacological therapy (glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) applied alone and in different combinations in mdx mice. Methods The animals were randomized and divided into seven experimental groups treated with placebo, PBMT, prednisone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), PBMT plus prednisone and PBMT plus NSAID. Wild type animals were used as control. All treatments were performed during 14 consecutive weeks. Muscular morphology, protein expression of dystrophin and functional performance were assessed at the end of the last treatment. Results Both treatments with prednisone and PBMT applied alone or combined, were effective in preserving muscular morphology. In addition, the treatments with PBMT (p = 0.0005), PBMT plus prednisone (p = 0.0048) and PBMT plus NSAID (p = 0.0021) increased dystrophin gene expression compared to placebo-control group. However, in the functional performance the PBMT presented better results compared to glucocorticoids (p<0.0001). In

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. The relation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) with CC and its precursor lesions was first suspected for over 40 years. The indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) is an immune modulator enzyme responsible for the immune system tissue protection mechanism, which may be the key to the tumoural persistence. HPV oncoprotein E7 promotes the increase in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16 (CDKN2A/p16). The isolated and combined analysis of CDKN2A/p16 mRNA to CC diagnosis was done with promising results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between IDO mRNA and CDKN2A/p16 mRNA. We will explore the potential of both as diagnostic tools. RNA was extracted from tissue samples. cDNA was generated with High Capacity RNA-to-cDNA kit. The real-time PCR results were analysed using nonlinear curve estimation, ROC curve, Chi-squared test, the proportion of variance explained and Galen and Gambino formulas. From 270 patients attended, colposcopy examination was performed in 110 and the biopsy in 75 patients. We found a positive correlation in patients older than 28 years old with low-risk lesions, but the correlation is lost in high-risk lesions. Although cytology, IDO mRNA and CDKN2A/p16 mRNA could not differentiate the risk groups, IDO combined with CDKN2A/p16 mRNA results could (p = 0.028). The best diagnostic result was achieved by IDO coupled with CDKN2A/p16 mRNA, which may considerably increase the sensitivity of screening for CC.

Bio-protocol 10(15): e3695.