Purpose: To test the hematologic effects of low intensity 650 nm laser irradiation on hypercholesterolemia rabbits.
Methods: Ten male big-eared rabbits were selected from hypercholesterolemia animal model-making and divided into model group and laser treatment groups. Five normal rabbits were selected as control group. Auricle root irradiation of 650 nm laser 100 mW in 30 min were applied on treatment group twice a day, treatment of 6 days in one week, 20 weeks course of treatment. Changes in blood lipid, microcirculation, rheological properties, and aggregation morphology of erythrocytes were observed every two weeks. Histopathological examination were performed in the end of experiments.
Results: After 20 weeks' treatment, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHO), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of serum in hypercholesterolemia groups showed less changes in the first 4 weeks, butdifferent decreasing trends were shownin the next 16 weeks' therapy. Erythrocytes aggregation of model groups showed rouleau state, while red blood cells in control group showed fine homodisperse, erythrocytes in treatment group performed better dispersion than model groups. Erythrocyte deformation index (DI) and blood flow value showed a statistic improvement in treatment group than control and model group (P<0.01). Value of DI in treatment group decreased after 18 weeks than values before therapy (P<0.01). Varying degrees of Aorta plaque formation was observed for individual difference in model and treatment groups, while no plaque was found in control group.
Conclusions: Low energy laser improve microcirculation, rheological properties and blood lipid that might be related with erythrocytes aggregation and deformability.
Keywords: Low intensity laser; blood microcirculation; erythrocytes; hyperlipidemia.