Radiological and biochemical effects (CTX-II, MMP-3, 8, and 13) of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in chronic osteoarthritis in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Inflammation of synovial membrane and degeneration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA) lead to major changes in joint space width (JSW) and biochemical components such as collagen-II telopeptide (CTX-II) and matrix metallo protineases (MMP-3, 8, and 13). Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is thought to have an analgesic effect as well as biomodulatory effect on microcirculation and cartilage regeneration in animal studies. The objective of this study was to examine the analgesic and biochemical effect of LLLT in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Subjects (n = 34) who fulfilled the selection criteria were randomly divided into active group (n = 17) and placebo group. Subjects in active group were irradiated laser with the frequency of 3 days per week for 4 weeks with the specific parameters on 8 different points on the joint at 1.5 J per point for 60 s for 8 points for a total dose of 12 J in a skin contact method. The placebo group was treated with the same probe with minimum emission of energy. Visual analog scale for pain intensity, joint space width, collagen-II telopeptide, and matrix metallo protinease-3, 8, and 13 was measured before treatment and at 4 and 8 weeks following treatment. Data are analyzed with mean values and standard deviation with p < 0.05. Baseline values of all outcome measures show insignificant difference (p > 0.05) in both groups which shows homogeneity. After 4- and 8-week treatment, active laser group shows more significant difference (p < 0.001) in all the parameters than the placebo laser group (p > 0.05). Our results show that low-level laser therapy was more efficient in reducing pain and improving cartilage thickness through biochemical changes.

A Randomized Comparative Study between High‐Intensity and Low‐Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

“…The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of LLLT are associated with elevating of pain threshold and inhibiting the transmission of A-δ and C fibers that combined with suppressed peripheral nociceptors, increased hydroxyindoleacetics, decreased inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 β , IL-8, and TNF- α , and reduced prostaglandin levels [ 30 ]. Moreover, LLLT inhibits pain through enhancing the secretions of peripheral endogenous opioids [ 31 ].…”

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Arthritis in Children and Adults: New Perspectives on Applied Photobiomodulation

“…Clinical studies [ 181 , 182 , 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 , 187 , 188 , 189 ] have also shown that PBM is a promising drug-free tool for inflammatory diseases and arthritis ( Table 2 ).…”

Comparative effects of virtual reality training and sensory motor training on bone morphogenic proteins and inflammatory biomarkers in post-traumatic osteoarthritis

“…Surgical and non-surgical approaches have shown a positive improvements in PTOA following ACL injury. However, the neuromuscular control and muscle properties over the joint are not obtained properly and the H/Q imbalance also persists for a long time after injury 12 . Recent studies observed that integrated rehabilitation training programs improve neuromuscular control, muscular symmetry, cartilage morphology and lower the levels of inflammatory reactions in patients with PTOA following ACL injury 13 .…”