Phototherapy in peripheral nerve regeneration: From basic science to clinical study

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Biophotonics

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injuries pose significant challenges to recovery.
• Current treatments for severe nerve damage have limitations in promoting regeneration.
• Low-power laser therapy (LPLT) has emerged as a potential supportive treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize studies on LPLT for peripheral nerve injury.
• To evaluate LPLT's efficacy in enhancing axonal growth and nerve regeneration.
• To investigate LPLT's role in nerve cell activation and survival.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model, neurorrhaphy, and neurotube reconstruction.
• Examined nerve cell growth and axonal sprouting in embryonic rat brain cultures.
• Conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial using 780-nm LPLT on patients with chronic incomplete peripheral nerve injuries.

Main Results:

• Animal studies demonstrated LPLT's protective effects, reduced scarring, decreased neuronal degeneration, and increased axonal growth and myelination.
• In vitro studies showed accelerated nerve cell migration, growth, and fiber sprouting following laser irradiation.
• Clinical trial results indicated progressive functional improvement and significant recovery in patients treated with 780-nm LPLT.

Conclusions:

• 780-nm LPLT effectively accelerates and enhances axonal growth and regeneration post-nerve injury or surgery.
• Laser-induced nerve cell activation, growth, and sprouting show promise for treating neuronal damage.
• Phototherapy demonstrates a promoting effect on peripheral nerve regeneration, warranting further clinical investigation.