Objectives:The cellular therapy using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) aims to improve tendon healing, considering that repaired tendons often result in a less resistant tissue. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of the ASCs combination with a low-level laser (LLL), an effective photobiostimulation for the healing processes. Materials and methods: Rats calcaneal tendons were divided into five groups: normal (NT), transected (T), transected and ASCs (SC) or LLL (L), or with ASCs and LLL (SCL). Results: All treated groups presented higher expression of Dcn and greater organization of collagen fibres. In comparison with T, LLL also up-regulated Gdf5 gene expression, ASCs up-regulated the expression of Tnmd, and the association of LLL and ASCs down-regulated the expression of Scx. No differences were observed for the expression of Il1b, Timp2, Tgfb1, Lox, Mmp2, Mmp8 and Mmp9, neither in the quantification of hydroxyproline, TNF-α, PCNA and in the protein level of Tnmd. A higher amount of IL-10 was detected in SC, L and SCL compared to T, and higher amount of collagen I and III was observed in SC compared to SCL. Conclusions:Transplanted ASCs migrated to the transected region, and all treatments altered the remodelling genes expression. The LLL was the most effective in the collagen reorganization, followed by its combination with ASCs. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the LLL and ASCs combination during initial phases of tendon repair.

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A cicatrização de feridas é uma resposta biológica à lesão tecidual sendo que diversos métodos terapêuticos estão sendo desenvolvidos e empregados para acelerar tal processo. Entre esses se observa a utilização de estimulação elétrica de baixa intensidade que favorece numerosos eventos no processo cicatricial assim como estimula eventos celulares, a circulação local e também promove alívio de quadros dolorosos. Sua aplicação é subsensorial não causando dor e/ou desconforto. Efeitos colaterais não são observados constituindo uma técnica de baixo custo e não invasiva. O presente estudo descreve a utilização da microcorrente (MC) como método não farmacológico no processo de reparo tecidual. Para isso foi realizada revisão da literatura, sendo consultados artigos científicos localizados nas bases de dados Medline, Scielo, Lilacs, portal de Periódicos CAPES e GoogleAcadêmico, publicados entre os anos de 1997 e 2014. Conclui-se que a MC é uma técnica inovadora e eficiente, podendo ser usada de forma isolada ou associada a outros métodos físicos ou a curativos visando à reparação tecidual, diminuição da inflamação, dor, podendo ser utilizada na melhoria da qualidade de vida.Descritores: Condutas Terapêuticas; Terapia por Estimulação Elétrica; Cicatrização.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of red Light Emiting Diode (red LED) irradiation on fibroblasts in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) co-culture on the scratch assay. We hypothesized that red LED irradiation could stimulate paracrine secretion of ASC, contributing to the activation of genes and molecules involved in cell migration and tissue repair. ASC were co-cultured with NIH/3T3 fibroblasts through direct contact and subjected to red LED irradiation (1.45 J/cm 2 /5min6s) after the scratch assay, during 4 days. Four groups were established: fibroblasts (F), fibroblasts þ LED (FL), fibroblasts þ ASC (FC) and fibroblasts þ LED þ ASC (FLC). The analyzes were based on Ctgf and Reck expression, quantification of collagen types I and III, tenomodulin, VEGF, TGF-β1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well as viability analysis and cell migration. Higher Ctgf expression was observed in FC compared to F. Group FC presented higher amount of tenomodulin and VEGF in relation to the other groups. In the cell migration analysis, a higher number of cells was observed in the scratched area of the FC group on the 4 th day. There were no differences between groups considering cell viability, Reck expression, amount of collagen types I and III, MMP-2 and TGF-β1, whereas TGF-β1 was not detected in the FC group and the MMP-9 in none of the groups. Our hypothesis was not supported by the results because the red LED irradiation decreased the healing response of ASC. An inhibitory effect of the LED irradiation associated with ASC co-culture was observed with reduction of the amount of TGF-β1, VEGF and tenomodulin, possibly involved in the reduced cell migration. In turn, the ASC alone seem to have modulated fibroblast behavior by increasing Ctgf, VEGF and tenomodulin, leading to greater cell migration. In conclusion, red LED and ASC therapy can have independent effects on fibroblast wound healing, but the combination of both does not have a synergistic effect. Therefore, future studies with other parameters of red LED associated with ASC should be tested aiming clinical application for tissue repair.

Tendon injuries are common and have a high incidence of re-rupture that can cause loss of functionality. Therapies with adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) and the microcurrent (low-intensity electrical stimulation) application present promising effects on the tissue repair. We analyzed the expression of genes and the participation of some molecules potentially involved in the structural recovery of the Achilles tendon of rats, in response to the application of both therapies, isolated and combined. The tendons were distributed in five groups: normal (N), transected (T), transected and ASC (C) or microcurrent (M) or with ASC, and microcurrent (MC). Microcurrent therapy was beneficial for tendon repair, as it was observed a statistically significant increase in the organization of the collagen fibers, with involvement of the TNC, CTGF, FN, FMDO, and COL3A1 genes as well as PCNA, IL-10, and TNF-α. ASC therapy significantly increased the TNC and FMDO genes expression with no changes in the molecular organization of collagen. With the association of therapies, a significant greater collagen fibers organization was observed with involvement of the FMOD gene. The therapies did not affect the expression of COL1A1, SMAD2, SMAD3, MKX, and EGR1 genes, nor did they influence the amount of collagen I and III, caspase-3, tenomodulin (Tnmd), and hydroxyproline. In conclusion, the application of the microcurrent isolated or associated with ASC increased the organization of the collagen fibers, which can result in a greater biomechanical resistance in relation to the tendons treated only with ASC. Future studies will be needed to demonstrate the biological effects of these therapies on the functional recovery of injured tendons.

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Objectives: The burn repair associated with diabetes complications showed considerable changes in the healing process and the development of alternative therapies to favor the repair is important. This study investigated the efficacy of the Casearia sylvestris in the burn repair in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Methods: The animals were divided into four groups (n = 20): (C) non-diabetics treated with carbopol gel; (G) non-diabetic treated with C. sylvestris extract in carbopol gel; (DM-C) diabetics treated with carbopol gel; (DM-G) diabetics treated with C. sylvestris extract in carbopol gel. Burn was induced using a metal plate (2 cm diameter/120 °C/20 sec). Samples were collected on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after the injury for histomorphometric analysis (inflammatory infiltrate, fibroblasts, blood vessels and collagen), MPO (Myeloperoxidase) and NAG (N-Acetilglicosaminidase) dosage, hydroxyproline, glycosaminoglycans, TGF-β1, VEGF, collagen I and III. Key findings: C. sylvestris decreased the inflammatory process during the experimental period in diabetic and non-diabetic animals which has been demonstrated by MPO, NAG quantification, and TGF-β1 expression. C. sylvestris also increased blood vessels and decreased VEGF expression during the studied period in non-diabetic animals. Fibroplasia and collagenase were increased in all experimental periods in the DM-G group by means of de hydroxyproline quantification, collagen I, collagen III and glycosaminoglycans. Conclusions: C. sylvestris application can modulate favorably the time of inflammation and collagenous process in the repair of burn injuries in diabetic rats.