Low-level laser therapy associated to N-acetylcysteine lowers macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) mRNA expression and generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in alveolar macrophages.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to investigate the low-level laser therapy (LLLT) effect on alveolar macrophages (AM) activated by oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BACKGROUND DATA: LLLT has been reported to actuate positively relieving the late and early symptoms of airway and lung inflammation. It is not known if the increased MIP-2 mRNA expression and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation observed in acute lung inflammation (ALI) can be influenced by LLLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat AM cell line (AMJ2-C11) was cultured with LPS or H(2)O(2) and laser irradiated. MIP-2 mRNA and ROS production in the AM were evaluated by Real Time-PCR and the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) respectively. The NF-κB protein in the AM was measured by the enzyme linked immunoassay method. To investigate the antioxidant effect of laser, the AM were prebathed with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and then irradiated with laser. LLLT was also studied in the presence of an inhibitor of NF-κB (BMS 205820). In addition, the effect of LLLT on NF-κB protein was investigated. RESULTS: LLLT attenuated the MIP-2 mRNA expression and intracellular ROS generation after LPS or H(2)O(2). When the AM were pretreated with NAC, the laser effect was potentiated. BMS 205820 suppresses the effect of LLLT on MIP-2 mRNA expression and ROS generation, stimulated by LPS or H(2)O(2). On NF-κB transcription factor, both the LLLT and NAC reduced this protein in the AM exposed to LPS or H(2)O(2). The synergistic effect between LLLT and NAC on the reduction the NF-κB was also evidenced. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that there is a synergistic action of LLLT with NAC on MIP-2 mRNA expression from LPS- or H(2)O(2)-stimulated AM, and that both ROS intracellular generation and NF-kB signaling seem to be involved.

Analgesic effect of He-Ne (632.8 nm) low-level laser therapy on acute inflammatory pain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of the low level laser therapy (LLLT) with a He-Ne laser on acute inflammatory pain, verifying the contribution of the peripheral opioid receptors and the action of LLLT on the hyperalgesia produced by the release of hyperalgesic mediators of inflammation. BACKGROUND DATA: All analgesic drugs have undesired effects. Because of that, other therapies are being investigated for treatment of the inflammatory pain. Among those, LLLT seems to be very promising. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were used. Three complementary experiments were done. (1) The inflammatory reaction was induced by the injection of carrageenin into one of the hind paws. Pain threshold and volume increase of the edema were measured by a pressure gauge and plethysmography, respectively. (2) The involvement of peripheral opioid receptors on the analgesic effect of the laser was evaluated by simultaneous injection of carrageenin and naloxone into one hind paw. (3) Hyperalgesia was induced by injecting PGE2 for the study of the effect of the laser on the sensitization increase of nociceptors. A He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) of 2.5 J/cm2 was used for irradiation. RESULTS: We found that He-Ne stimulation increased the pain threshold by a factor between 68% and 95% depending on the injected drug. We also observed a 54% reduction on the volume increase of the edema when it was irradiated. CONCLUSION: He-Ne LLLT inhibits the sensitization increase of nociceptors on the inflammatory process. The analgesic effect seems to involve hyperalgesic mediators instead of peripheral opioid receptors.

Effect of GaInAIP (685 nm) radiation on lipopolyssacharide induced rat trachea hyperreactivity

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o efeito do laser de baixa potência (LLLT) na hiper-reatividade da traquéia de ratos Wistar macho(RTHR) depois da administração de lipopolissacarídeo (LPS)