Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a product derived from total blood centrifugation, whose use is focused on improving the healing of different tissues, as a result of the growth factors it contains. However, the clinical benefits of this therapy have not been fully established. The objective of this study was to evaluate type I and III collagen gene expression during different phases of the healing process of PRP-treated skin. Eight healthy crossbred geldings, aged 16 and 17 years (16.37±0.52) were used. Three quadrangular-shaped lesions (6.25cm 2 ) were surgically induced in the right and left gluteal regions of all the animals. Twelve hours after induction of the lesions, 0.5mL of PRP was administered in each of the four edges of the wounds (T=treated group) in one of the gluteal regions, randomly chosen. The contralateral region was used as control (NT=non-treated group). The wounds were submitted to daily cleaning with Milli-Q water, and the samples were obtained with a 6mm diameter biopsy Punch. Six skin biopsies were obtained, with the first being performed on the day the lesions were induced (T0), and the others 1 (T1), 2 (T2), 7 (T3), and 14 (T4) days, after the wound was induced. The sixth biopsy (T5) was performed after fully healed of the skin. Evaluation of type I and III collagen gene expression was carried out by the qRT-PCR technique. The data were analyzed by the Bonferroni test, Student t-test, paired t--test, and regression analysis (p<0,05). Difference (p<0.05) between groups were observed for both collagen gene expressions from T1 to T4, being higher in the animals of group T. The peak for type I and III collagen gene expressions occurred in T5 for both groups, but the highest expression was different (p<0.05) from zero time, starting in T3. In the animals of treated group, collagen expression started to establish at T5, while in the horses of NT group, the values remained increased. Local administration of a single PRP dose in cutaneous wound of the gluteal region of horses results in a higher local gene expression of type I and III collagens. However, this expression does not alter the maximum time of macroscopic healing of the wound.

Low-level laser therapy is recommended for the treatment of tendinopathies despite the contradictory results related to the ideal dose of energy, wavelength and time of application. This study aimed to assess the effects of laser therapy and eccentric exercise on tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon of Wistar rats. Forty-eight adult male rats were randomly distributed into four groups (L= laser; E= eccentric exercise; LE = laser and eccentric exercise; and R= rest). Laser therapy (904nm/3J/cm²) and/or eccentric exercise (downhill walking; 15 o incline treadmill; 12m/min; 50min/day) was started 24h after induction of unilateral tendinopathy and remained for 20 days. At 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after lesion induction, three rats from each group were euthanized and the tendons were collected for histological and morphometric analyses. There was no difference among groups or among times for the characteristics hemorrhage (p=0.4154), fibrinous adhesion formation (p=0.0712), and organization of collagen fibers (p=0.2583) and of the connective tissue (p=0.1046). For these groups, regardless of the time, eccentric exercise led to epitenon thickening (p=0.0204), which was lower in the group treated with laser therapy. Histological analysis revealed differences (p=0.0032) in the number of inflammatory cells over time. They were more numerous in the group that only exercised. This result was confirmed by morphometric analysis, which showed a significant interaction (groups x time) for this characteristic. Eccentric exercise increased (p=0.0014) the inflammatory infiltrate over time (3 and 21 days). However, association with laser therapy reduced inflammatory reaction. On the other hand, the combination of the treatments increased angiogenesis in morphometric (p=0.0000) and histological (p=0.0006) analyses compared with the other groups, while the isolated application of low-level laser reduced this characteristic over time. Animals maintained at rest presented the lowest amount (p=0.0000) of fibroblasts, according to the morphometric analysis. However, histological evaluation showed a significant group x time interaction (p=0.0024). Greater amounts of fibroblasts were observed in groups E, L and LE on the 7 th , 14 th and 21 st days, respectively. The animals that received laser therapy and were exercised showed a greater (p=0.0000) amount of collagen fibers over time. LE=laser e exercício excêntrico, e R=repouso). Após 24h da indução de tendinopatia unilateral, foi iniciada laserterapia (904nm/3J/cm²) e/ou exercício excêntrico (caminhada em declive; esteira com 15 o de inclinação; 12m/min; 50min/ dia) que permaneceu por 20 dias. Aos 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias após indução da lesão, três ratos de cada grupo foram submetidos à eutanásia, e os tendões foram obtidos para análi-ses histológica e morfométrica. Não houve diferença entre grupos nem entre tempos nas características hemorragia (p=0,4154), formação de aderência fibrinosa (p=0,0712) e organização das fibras colágenas (p=0,2583) e do tecido conjuntivo (p=0,1046). Considerando os g...