PBMT and topical diclofenac as single and combined treatment on skeletal muscle injury in diabetic rats: effects on biochemical and functional aspects

Abstract

Physical exercise generates several benefits in a short time in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, it can increase the chances of muscle damage, a serious problem for diabetic patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat these injuries, despite the serious adverse effects. In this way, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and/or light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) can be used as an alternative in this case. However, its efficacy in tissue repair of trauma injuries in diabetes mellitus until now is unknown, as well as the combination between PBMT and NSAIDs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of NSAIDs and PBMT applied alone or combined on functional and biochemical aspects, in an experimental model of muscle injury through controlled trauma in diabetic rats. Muscle injury was induced by means of a single trauma to the animals' anterior tibialis muscle. After 1 h, the rats were treated with PBMT (830 nm; continuous mode, with a power output of 100 mW; 3.57 W/cm; 3 J; 107.1 J/cm, 30 s), diclofenac sodium for topical use (1 g), or combination of them. Our results demonstrated that PBMT + diclofenac, and PBMT alone reduced the gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at all assessed times as compared to the injury and diclofenac groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). The diclofenac alone showed reduced levels of COX-2 only in relation to the injury group (p < 0.05). Prostaglandin E levels in blood plasma demonstrated similar results to COX2. In addition, we observed that PBMT + diclofenac and PBMT alone showed significant improvement compared with injury and diclofenac groups in functional analysis at all time points. The results indicate that PBMT alone or in combination with diclofenac reduces levels of inflammatory markers and improves gait of diabetic rats in the acute phase of muscle injury.

Photobiomodulation and Sports: Results of a Narrative Review

“…Experimental animal research (Table 3) supports the beneficial effects of PBM applied before and after exercise in physical activity, through improved performance in endurance training [78,79], decreased level of proinflammatory cytokines [80][81][82][83][84], positive effects on aerobic metabolism [85,86], oxidative stress [86][87][88] and increased ATP [89,90]. Histopathological examination performed after PBM showed that it can protect myonecrosis, reduce pro-inflammatory cell infiltration, muscle destruction, inflammation and can help accelerate tissue repair [91][92][93].…”

Clinical and Histologic Manifestations of a Novel Rectus Femoris Myotendinous Junction Injury in Rats

“…Changes in ankle angle and calcaneus height have been shown in contusion models of anterior tibialis muscle injury (20), suggesting impaired joint rotation/movement. Additionally, voluntary walking impairment has previously been shown (19) in a rat model of traumatic muscle injury. In this study, treadmill-based walking trials were performed in triplicate to assess reproducibility in our clinical assessments.…”

“…Therefore, the controlled study of MTJ injury progression in a clinically relevant pre-clinical model may allow for the development of novel therapeutics and treatment strategies for patients who suffer from such injuries. Animal models of muscle injury include chemical (15), traumatic (16,17), acute high intensity exercise (18), contusion (19)(20)(21), contraction (22), and ischemia-reperfusion (23) methods (for a summary of published models see appendix 1). While valuable, the majority of current models do not specifi-cally target the MTJ, a common site of clinical strain-induced activity-related injuries (2,3).…”

Does photobiomodulation therapy improve the postoperative outcomes of tonsillectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…15,32 The reduction of the level of pain-related molecules such as prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase-2 has also been documented. 33 As we well know, the postoperative pain of individuals submitted to tonsillectomy lasts about 14 days, delaying the return to daily activities and to a normal diet, with the risk of dehydration. 27 In severe cases, postoperative pain may result in delayed discharge, emergency department visits, or readmission to the hospital for pain control and hydration.…”