Analysis of the Impact of Photobiomodulation on Mitochondrial Respiration in the Gastrocnemius Muscle of Rats with Neuropathic Pain.

• Grant number: 24/06049-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Marucia Chacur
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Rodrigues Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a difficult-to-treat chronic pain that affects a significant portion, reaching up to 10% of the population, and has a substantial impact on quality of life. It is therefore considered a public health problem. In recent years, new therapeutic approaches for the management of neuropathic pain, such as photobiomodulation, have emerged, although they are not effective for all patients. Studies indicate that the photons emitted by photobiomodulation therapy reach mitochondria and can trigger beneficial effects, including increased ATP production and changes in ionic transport. However, the lack of research demonstrating these effects conclusively highlights the need for further investigation. This study proposes to specifically examine the impact of photobiomodulation, at two different wavelengths (660nm, red and 904nm infrared) on mitochondrial respiration in an animal model of neuropathic pain, offering valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and their therapeutic relevance. To this, mitochondrial isolation will be conducted from the gastrocnemius muscles of the different experimental groups, in order to quantify the changes in mitochondrial respiration after treatment with photobiomodulation. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate whether photobiomodulation induces changes in the mitochondrial response in rats with neuropathic pain, possibly contributing to a more effective treatment of this painful condition.