The action of pre-exercise low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the expression of IL-6 and TNF-[alpha] proteins and on the functional fitness of elderly rats subjected to aerobic training

• Published in: Lasers in medical science 2015-04, Vol.30 (3), p.1127
• Main Authors: Amadio, Eliane Martins, Serra, Andrey Jorge, Guaraldo, Simone A, Silva, José Antônio, Antônio, Ednei Luis, Silva, Flávio, Portes, Leslie Andrews, Tucci, Paulo José, Ferreira, Leal-junior, Ernesto Cesar, Pinto, de Carvalho, Paulo De, Tarso, Camillo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exercise; Inflammatory diseases; Lasers; Protein expression
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-015-1713-x

The aim of the present study was to determine whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT), when used in conjunction with aerobic training, interferes with the expression of inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-[alpha], thereby influencing the performance of old rats participating in swimming. A total of 30 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were used for this study: 24 aged rats, and 6 young rats. The older animals were randomly divided into four groups designated as follows: aged-control, aged-exercise, aged-LLLT, aged-LLLT/exercise group, and young-control animals. Aerobic capacity (VO2max) was analyzed before and after training period. The aged-exercise and aged-LLLT/exercise groups were trained for 6 weeks. LLLT laser was applied before each training session with 808 nm and 4 J of energy to the indicated groups throughout training. The rats were euthanized, and muscle tissue and serum were collected for muscle cross-sectional area and IL-6 and TNF-[alpha] protein analysis. In VO2 showed statistical difference between young- and aged-control groups (used as baseline) (p