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Effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB signaling pathway in traumatized muscle
Carem Fetter Rizzi1, José Luis Mauriz, Daniela Sousa Freitas Corrêa
1Department of Physiotherapy and Physiology, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Brazil.
Background And Objective:
To investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in an experimental model of muscle trauma.
Study Design/Materials And Methods:
Injury to the gastrocnemius muscle in the rat was produced by a single impact blunt trauma. A low-level galium arsenide (Ga-As) laser (904 nm, 45 mW, and 5 J/cm2) was applied for 35 seconds duration, continuously.
Results:
Histological abnormalities with increase in collagen concentration, and oxidative stress were observed after trauma. This was accompanied by activation of NF-kappaB and upregulation of iNOS expression, whereas protein concentration of I kappa B alpha decreased. These effects were blocked by LLLT.
Conclusion:
LLLT reduced the inflammatory response induced by trauma and was able to block the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and the activation of NF-kappaB. The associated reduction of iNOS overexpression and collagen production suggest that the NF-kappaB pathway may be a signaling route involved in the pathogenesis of muscle trauma.
