The anti-inflammatory effect of low-level laser on hepatic fibrogenesis induced by the bile duct ligation model

• Grant number: 24/18448-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Regina Nagaoka
• Grantee: Raquel Santos Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is recognized for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, although its effect on the liver is still poorly understood. Preliminary results from our laboratory suggest a potential anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect of LLLT for 7 days on hepatic fibrogenesis induced by an experimental bile duct ligation (BDL) model.Aim: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of LLLT on hepatic fibrogenesis in animals subjected to BDL.Methodology: Adult male Wistar rats will be anesthetized and subjected to laparotomy for BDL. The control group (Sham) will undergo the same procedure without bile duct ligation. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect, we will have six groups:a) BDL-2d: daily laser application after BDL surgery, with liver perfusion 2 days post-surgery.b) BDL pre-2d: daily laser application 48 hours before surgery, followed by the same procedure as in (a).c) BDL pre-post-2d: daily laser application 48 hours before and 2 days after surgery.Inflammation will be evaluated by measuring the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the serum of rats at the end of the treatment, as well as by cytokine levels. Non-parenchymal cells will be immunophenotyped by flow cytometry. Cell death and liver regeneration will also be assessed by immunodetection for caspase-3 and Ki-67, respectively.This study represents a significant technological contribution compared to the current state-of-the-art. Currently, therapies for hepatic fibrosis are limited to removing the causative agent or, in advanced stages, liver transplantation. LLLT, being a non-invasive, drug-free, and safe modality, is a promising alternative for the treatment of liver diseases.