Histological analysis of the association of low level laser therapy and platelet-rich plasma in regeneration of muscle injury in rats

• Published in: Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil)) Brazil)), 2017-11, Vol.21 (6), p.425-433
• Main Authors: Garcia, Thiago Alves, Camargo, Regina Celi Trindade, Koike, Tatiana Emy, Ozaki, Guilherme Akio Tamura, Castoldi, Robson Chacon, Camargo Filho, José Carlos Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Collagen; Collagen - metabolism; Collagen - physiology; Inflammation; Low-Level Light Therapy - methods; Muscle, Skeletal - injuries; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Original Research; Platelet-Rich Plasma - physiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Regeneration - physiology; Rehabilitation; Wound Healing - physiology
• ISSN: 1413-3555; 1809-9246
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.06.007

•LLLT and PRP can be used to enhance muscle regeneration.•The association of LLLT with PRP produces better treatment than their use in isolation.•LLLT could modulate the production of collagen during muscle injury. Muscle injuries are common, and their treatment requires costs and time off. Platelet rich plasma and low level laser therapy have been shown to be affordable and easy to use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associated effects of low level laser therapy and platelet rich plasma on the treatment of the soleus muscle injured by strain in rats. Thirty-five rats were randomly allocated into five groups: Control (C), Injury Control (IC), injury PRP (IP), injury LLLT (ILT) and injury LLLT and PRP (ILTP). The strain injury was induced in the soleus muscle and the IP group received application of platelet rich plasma immediately after the lesion, while the ILT group received low level laser therapy. After seven days, all animals were euthanized and the soleus muscle removed for further histological analysis. The association of both treatments (ILTP) resulted in better histological aspects than the low level laser therapy and platelet rich plasma alone, when compared with the injury group (IC). The collagen analysis exhibited a significant increase in the ILT group (2.99 SD=1.13) compared to the C (1.88 SD=0.41, p=0.012) and IP (2.04 SD=0.44, p=0.018). The association of low level laser therapy with platelet rich plasma produced better results on muscle injury compared to the isolated use of these therapies. Furthermore, none of the treatments could modulate the collagen deposition in relation to injury group.