Cytochrome oxidase activity in the brain of aged rats exposed to low level laser therapy: a quantitative histochemical study

• Grant number: 19/24136-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): February 28, 2020
• Effective date (End): November 27, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Sérgio Gomes da Silva
• Grantee: Fabrízio dos Santos Cardoso
• Supervisor: Francisco Gonzalez-Lima
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Acadêmica. Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC). Campus da Sede Mogi das Cruzes. Mogi das Cruzes , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Texas at Austin (UT), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 17/16443-0 - Therapeutic potential of low-level laser in the brain of aged rats, BP.DR

Abstract

The proportion of people over the age of 60 is increasing at a faster rate than any other age group worldwide. It is estimated that by 2025 the elderly population will be of 1.2 billion people. In Brazil, it will be approximately 30 million. However, longevity has been accompanied by several cases of age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and others. In addition, during aging, decreases in the metabolic rates of glucose and oxygen in the brain have been observed. For example, it has been noted, changes in the activity of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) a mitochondrial enzyme responsible for reducing oxygen in water, facilitating the transfer of electrons in the mitochondrial membrane therefore, promoting changes in molecular levels due to increased cellular metabolism. Thus, the search for new forms of treatment and therapeutic intervention has been of great interest to the medical community. In this context, low level laser therapy (LLLT) has become a very promising therapy, especially for its neuroprotective effects. Several studies have demonstrated the effects of LLLT, such as memory improvement, an increase in ATP levels, improved mitochondrial function and increased neuronal activation (c-fos). In view of these findings, histochemical analysis of the energy metabolism of these animals can provide information to better understand the effects of LLLT on the aged brain. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the brain CO activity of adult animals (4 months of life) and aged (20 months of life) exposed to LLLT.