Can photobiomodulation therapy be an alternative to pharmacological therapies in decreasing the progression of skeletal muscle impairments of mdx mice?

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Tomazoni, Shaiane Silva ; Casalechi, Heliodora Leao ; Bacelar Ferreira, Cheila de Sousa ; Serra, Andrey Jorge ; Delle, Humberto ; de Oliveira Brito, Rodrigo Barbosa ; de Melo, Brunno Lemes ; Vanin, Adriane Aver ; Ribeiro, Neide Firmo ; Pereira, Amanda Lima ; Damasceno Soares Monteiro, Kadma Karenina ; Marcos, Rodrigo Labat ; Camillo de Carvalho, Paulo de Tarso ; Frigo, Lucio ; Pinto Leal-Junior, Ernesto Cesar

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 15, n. 8, p. 16-pg., 2020-08-12.

Abstract

Objective To compare the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and pharmacological therapy (glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) applied alone and in different combinations inmdxmice. Methods The animals were randomized and divided into seven experimental groups treated with placebo, PBMT, prednisone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), PBMT plus prednisone and PBMT plus NSAID. Wild type animals were used as control. All treatments were performed during 14 consecutive weeks. Muscular morphology, protein expression of dystrophin and functional performance were assessed at the end of the last treatment. Results Both treatments with prednisone and PBMT applied alone or combined, were effective in preserving muscular morphology. In addition, the treatments with PBMT (p = 0.0005), PBMT plus prednisone (p = 0.0048) and PBMT plus NSAID (p = 0.0021) increased dystrophin gene expression compared to placebo-control group. However, in the functional performance the PBMT presented better results compared to glucocorticoids (p<0.0001). In contrast, the use of NSAIDs did not appear to add benefits to skeletal muscle tissue inmdxmice. Conclusion We believe that the promising and optimistic results about the PBMT in skeletal muscle ofmdxmice may in the future contribute to this therapy to be considered a safe alternative for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in a washout period (between treatment periods with glucocorticoids), allowing them to remain receiving effective and safe treatment in this period, avoiding at this way periods without administration of any treatment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/21012-2 - Effects of photobiomodulation therapy and pharmacological therapy at isolated and associated manner in experimental model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• Grantee: Lúcio Frigo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants