Assessment of different energy delivery settings in laser and LED phototherapies in the inflammatory process of rat's TMJ induced by carrageenan.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are mostly inflammatory conditions widespread in the population. Previous studies have shown positive effects of either laser or light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapies on treating TMDs, but their action and mechanism in the inflammatory infiltrate of the temporomandibular joint are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess, through histological analysis, the effectiveness of using laser light (λ 780 nm, 70 mW, continous wave (CW), 10 J) and LED (λ 850 ± 10 nm, 100 mW, CW, 10 J) on the inflammation of the temporomandibular joint of rats induced by carrageenan. Forty-five animals were divided into three groups with five animals each according to the experimental times of 2, 3, and 7 days: inflammation, inflammation+laser phototherapy, and inflammation+LED phototherapy. The first irradiation was performed 24 h after induction with an interval of 48 h between sessions. After animal death, specimens were processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and picrosirius. Then, the samples were examined histologically. Data were statistically analyzed. The inflammation group showed mild to moderate chronic inflammatory infiltrate between bone trabecules of the condyle. Over the time course of the study in the laser group, the region of the condyle presented mild chronic inflammation and intense vascularization. In the LED group, the condyle showed aspects of normality and absence of inflammation in some specimens. In all the time points, the laser-irradiated groups showed greater amount of collagen deposition in the condyle (p = 0.04) and in the disc (p = 0.03) when compared to the inflammation and LED groups, respectively. Laser- and LED-treated groups demonstrate a smaller number of layers of the synovial membrane when compared to the non-irradiated groups. It was concluded that, in general, laser and LED phototherapies resulted in a reduction of inflammatory infiltrate in the temporomandibular joint of rat.

Evaluation of the effects of polarized light (λ400-200 nm) on the healing of third-degree burns in induced diabetic and nondiabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated, by light microscopy, the repair process on third-degree burns on diabetic and nondiabetic rats, illuminated or not, with a polarized light (PL) source. BACKGROUND DATA: Burns are severe injuries that result in the loss of fluid and destruction of tissue, infection, and shock that may result in death. Diabetes mellitus is a public health problem that, being uncontrolled, causes severe disturbance to the body metabolism, including on wound healing. PL sources have been shown to be effective in improving healing in many situations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n=45): nondiabetic and diabetic. In one of the groups, diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin. A third-degree burn, measuring 1.5×1.5 cm(2), was created in the dorsum of each animal. Phototherapy (λ400-2000 nm, 10.2 or 20.4 J/cm(2)) started immediately after burning and was repeated daily until animal death (7, 14, and 21 days). Specimens were taken, processed, and stained with H&E and Sirius red and immunomarked with cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3. Descriptive analysis was performed by light microscopy. RESULTS: Animals subjected to phototherapy showed an acceleration of the repair, the dose of 10.2 J/cm(2) being the one that caused best results, including higher deposition of collagen, quicker inflammatory reaction, and improved revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the use of PL (10.2 J/cm(2)) improves the healing of third-degree burns on both diabetic and nondiabetic animals.