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Aerobic exercise training and low-level laser therapy modulate inflammatory response and degenerative process in an
L Assis1, L P Milares1, T Almeida1
1Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic exercise training and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (associated or not) on degenerative modifications and inflammatory mediators on the articular cartilage using an experimental model of knee OA.
Material And Methods:
Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group (CG); knee OA control group (OAC); OA plus exercise training group (OAT); OA plus LLLT group (OAL); OA plus exercise training associated with LLLT group (OATL). The exercise training (treadmill; 16 m/min; 50 min/day) and the laser irradiation (two points-medial and lateral side of the left joint; 24 sessions) started 4 weeks after the surgery, 3 days/week for 8 weeks.
Results:
The results showed that all treated groups showed (irradiated or not) a better pattern of tissue organization, with less fibrillation and irregularities along the articular surface and chondrocytes organization, a lower degenerative process measured by OARSI score and higher thickness values. Additionally, all treated group showed a reduced expression in IL-1β, caspase-3 and MMP-13 compared to OAC. Moreover, a lower caspase-3 expression was observed in OATL compared to OAL and OAT.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that exercise training and LLLT were effective in preventing cartilage degeneration and modulating inflammatory process induced by knee OA.
