The action of pre-exercise low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha proteins and on the functional fitness of elderly rats subjected to aerobic training

Author(s)

Amadio, Eliane Martins ^[1] ; Serra, Andrey Jorge ^[1] ; Guaraldo, Simone A. ^[2] ; Silva, Jr., Jose Antnio ^[3] ; Antonio, Ednei Luis ^[4] ; Silva, Flavio ^[4] ; Portes, Leslie Andrews ^[4] ; Ferreira Tucci, Paulo Jose ^[4] ; Pinto Leal-Junior, Ernesto Cesar ^{[2, 1]} ; Camillo de Carvalho, Paulo de Tarso ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Nove Julho UNINOVE, Postgrad Program Biophoton Appl Hlth Sci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Nove Julho UNINOVE, Postgrad Program Rehabil Sci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Nove Julho UNINOVE, Postgrad Program Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Cardiol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Lasers in Medical Science; v. 30, n. 3, p. 1127-1134, APR 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT), when used in conjunction with aerobic training, interferes with the expression of inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-alpha, thereby influencing the performance of old rats participating in swimming. A total of 30 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were used for this study: 24 aged rats, and 6 young rats. The older animals were randomly divided into four groups designated as follows: aged-control, aged-exercise, aged-LLLT, aged-LLLT/exercise group, and young-control animals. Aerobic capacity (VO(2)max) was analyzed before and after training period. The aged-exercise and aged-LLLT/exercise groups were trained for 6 weeks. LLLT laser was applied before each training session with 808 nm and 4 J of energy to the indicated groups throughout training. The rats were euthanized, and muscle tissue and serum were collected for muscle cross-sectional area and IL-6 and TNF-alpha protein analysis. In VO2 showed statistical difference between young- and aged-control groups (used as baseline) (p < 0.05). The same difference can be observed in the young control group compared with all intervention groups (exercise, LLLT and LLLT + exercise). In comparison with the aged-control group, a difference was observed only for comparison with the exercise group (p < 0.05), and exercise associated with LLLT group (p < 0.001). Levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha for the aged-exercise and the aged-LLLT/exercise groups were significantly decreased compared to the aged-control group (p < 0.05). Analysis of the transverse section of the gastrocnemius muscle showed a significant difference between the aged-exercise and aged-LLLT/exercise groups (p < 0.001). These results suggest that laser therapy in conjunction with aerobic training may provide a therapeutic approach for reducing the inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-alpha), however, LLLT without exercise was not able to improve physical performance of aged rats. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/54225-8 - The pathophysiology of congestive heart failure: from the organ to tile molecules
• Grantee: Paulo Jose Ferreira Tucci
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants