The effect of low level laser therapy on peripheral neuropathy induced by Diabetes Mellitus in mice

• Grant number: 14/03270-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Camila Squarzoni Dale
• Grantee: Laura Basilio Yamashita
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes, affecting about 50% of diabetic patients. One of the most prominent symptoms of diabetic neuropathy is the development of pain, which typically affects the limbs and presents itself as an exaggerated responsiveness to noxious stimuli (hyperalgesia) and light or non-painful stimuli (allodynia). Conventional treatments available for neuropathy in general, including the associated pain, are still inadequate and unsatisfying, and, therefore, arises the necessity of developing alternative therapies. One of the options that has been gaining acceptance in clinical practice is the use of low level laser therapy (LLLT), which, by promoting nerve regeneration, results in significant improvement of motor and sensory impairments caused by peripheral nerve injury. This project aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of LLL in streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy model in C57BL6 strain mice. In order to assess the effects of the LLLT, pain sensitivity in animals will be evaluated using mechanical and thermal tests, demyelination of the sciatic nerve will be observed by histology, and the levels of nerve growth factor will be measured by ELISA. The data obtained will provide a clearer understanding of the mechanisms involved in the effects of LLLT in diabetic neuropathy, allowing further progress in treatment of pacients with diabetic neuropathy, unresponsive to conventional treatments.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA SILVA OLIVEIRA, VICTORIA R.; CURY, DIEGO P.; YAMASHITA, LAURA B.; ESTECA, MARCOS V.; WATANABE, II-SEI; BERGMANN, YOKO FEE; TONIOLO, ELAINE F.; DALE, CAMILA S.. Photobiomodulation induces antinociception, recovers structural aspects and regulates mitochondrial homeostasis in peripheral nerve of diabetic mice. Journal of Biophotonics, v. 11, n. 9, SEP 2018. (16/10372-0, 15/17136-8, 14/03270-1)