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Low-level laser therapy combined with platelet-rich plasma on the healing calcaneal tendon: a histological study in a rat model

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment alone (λ = 660 nm and λ = 830 nm) or associated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). We used 54 male rats divided into six groups, with nine animals each: group 1, partial tenotomy; group 2 (GII), PRP; group 3 (GIII): λ660 nm; group 4 (GIV), λ830 nm; group 5 (GV), PRP + λ660 nm; and group 6 (GVI), PRP + λ830 nm. The protocol used was power density 0.35 W/cm2, energy 0.2 J, energy density 7.0 J/cm2, time 20 s per irradiated point, and number of points 3. Animals in groups GII, GV, and GVI received treatment with PRP, consisting of a single dose of 0.2 mL directly into the surgical site, on top of the tenotomy. Animals were killed on the 13th day post-tenotomy and their tendons were surgically removed for a quantitative analysis using polarization microscopy. The percentages of collagen fibers of types I and III were expressed as mean ± SD. Higher values of collagen fibers type I were obtained for groups GV and GVI when compared with all other groups (p < 0.05), whereas groups GIII and GIV showed no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). For collagen type III, a significant difference was observed between GII and all other groups (p < 0.5), but no significant difference was found between GIII and GIV and between GV and GVI. Results showed that the deposition of collagen type I was higher when treatment with PRP and LLLT was combined, suggesting a faster regeneration of the tendon.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, for the technical and laboratory assistance related to histological analysis.

Conflict of interest

No competing financial interests exist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering Center, Camilo Castelo Branco University (UNICASTELO), Estrada Dr. Altino Bondesan, 500, Distrito de Eugênio de Melo, 12247-004, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Danillo Barbosa, Paula Kariluce de Carvalho, Landulfo Silveira Jr & Antonio Balbin Villaverde

  2. Faculdade de Odontologia, Instituto Nacional de Ensino Superior e Pós Graduação Padre Gervásio (INAPOS), Rua João Basílio, 219, 37550-000, Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Danillo Barbosa & Tereza Cristina Rodrigues Cunha

  3. Av. Shishima Hifumi, 2911, 12244-000, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Danillo Barbosa

  4. Institute of Research and Development (IP&D), Vale do Paraíba University (UNIVAP), Av. Shishima Hifumi, 2911, 12244-000, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Emilia Ângela Loschiavo Arisawa

  5. Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde (GEP-CS), Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sul de Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS), Rua Dinah, 75, 37890-000, Muzambinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Renato Aparecido de Souza

  6. Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Maranhão, Avenida dos Portugueses, S/N Bacanga, 65085-580, Sao Luis, MA, Brazil

    Wellington Roberto Gomes de Carvalho

  7. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Rodovia MGT 367-Km 583, no. 5000, 39100-000, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Murilo Xavier

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  1. Danillo Barbosa
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  2. Renato Aparecido de Souza
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  3. Wellington Roberto Gomes de Carvalho
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  5. Paula Kariluce de Carvalho
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  9. Antonio Balbin Villaverde
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Correspondence to Danillo Barbosa.

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Barbosa, D., de Souza, R.A., de Carvalho, W.R.G. et al. Low-level laser therapy combined with platelet-rich plasma on the healing calcaneal tendon: a histological study in a rat model. Lasers Med Sci 28, 1489–1494 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1241-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1241-x

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