The effect of low-level laser to apoptosis of chondrocyte and caspases expression, including caspase-8 and caspase-3 in rabbit surgery-induced model of knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of 810-nm low-level laser to apoptosis of chondrocyte and related proteins, including caspase-3 and caspase-8, in rabbit surgery-induced model of knee osteoarthritis. A total of 24 New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned into 3 groups: test group, model group, and normal group. The rabbits in test group and model group received anterior cruciate ligament transection in the right knee. Six weeks after transection, the rabbits in test group were given 10-session 810-nm laser illumination. Eight weeks after transection, all animal were killed. Modified Mankin Score was made for histological assessment. The caspases expressions and chondrocytes apoptosis were tested using the immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assessment, respectively. The modified Mankin Score of test group was significantly lower than model group (P < 0.01) and higher than normal group (P < 0.01). The caspase-8 expression of test group was lower than model group and higher than normal group, but no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). This study revealed that the 810-nm low-level laser can improve cartilage structure, prevent articular cartilage degradation and significantly decrease the expression of caspase-3 in this surgery-induced OA model. Further studies are needed.

Aerobic exercise training and low-level laser therapy modulate inflammatory response and degenerative process in an experimental model of knee osteoarthritis in rats

“…These findings corroborate those authors who affirm that mechanical and photochemical stimulus induced by exercise and LLLT present anti-inflammatory effects in OA experimental models 15,18,27 . Furthermore, some studies have evidenced that physical exercise and LLLT exert chondroprotective properties through its antiapoptotic capacities 14,41,42 . Interestingly, the exercise training associated with LLLT was able of reducing the expression of caspase-3 when compared to other treatments.…”

Effects of Laser Acupuncture on Longitudinal Bone Growth in Adolescent Rats

“…Some findings support that LLLT has the effects to induce chondrogenesis in vitro [28] and to improve cartilage structure in vivo [29, 30], while others prove that LLLT has no [31] or even negative [19] effect on bone growth. These differences require further study.…”

Effects of low-level laser therapy on cartilage repair in an experimental model of osteoarthritis

“…In this context, experimental and clinical studies have investigated the effects of LLLT on cartilage in the presence of OA [17,18,29]. Some authors have demonstrated that laser therapy is able to reduce the formation of fibrosis, to stimulate neoangiogenesis and produce anti-inflammatory effects in experimental OA induced in rats [12,30].…”

“…In in vitro studies, Kushibiki et al [15] and Wong et al [8] demonstrated that LLLT stimulates the chondrocyte proliferation and increases the expression levels of chondrogenic mRNA in prechondrogenic cells. Furthermore, in arthritic-induced animal models, it was demonstrated that LLLT was able to decrease the level of cartilage damage and producing a better tissue structure, by biomodulating the inflammatory process and reducing swelling [14,[16][17][18]. Recently, Lin et al [18] affirmed that 810-nm LLLT can improve cartilage structure, prevent articular cartilage degradation and decrease the expression of caspase-3 in the osteoarthritic knees of rats.…”

“…Furthermore, in arthritic-induced animal models, it was demonstrated that LLLT was able to decrease the level of cartilage damage and producing a better tissue structure, by biomodulating the inflammatory process and reducing swelling [14,[16][17][18]. Recently, Lin et al [18] affirmed that 810-nm LLLT can improve cartilage structure, prevent articular cartilage degradation and decrease the expression of caspase-3 in the osteoarthritic knees of rats. Da Rosa et al [12], comparing the effects of 660-and 808-nm lasers in an experimental model of OA, observed that laser therapy, especially at 808 nm, stimulated angiogenesis and reduced the formation of fibrosis.…”