Purpose: To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy on bone healing in diabetic rats.
Methods: Bone cavities (19 mm diameter) were performed in the femur of 72 alloxan-induced diabetic rats, which were assigned into four groups: CTR (non-diabetic control), DBT (diabetic) CTRL (non-diabetic irradiated) and DBTL (diabetic irradiated). Low-level laser therapy was performed every 48 h for seven days. Animals were euthanized at seven, 18 and 30 days. Alkaline phosphatase serum levels and bone repair were analyzed.
Results: Low-level laser therapy significantly increased alkaline phosphatase in at seven and 18 days (p<0.001), and improved bone healing at seven (p<0.01), 18 (p<0.05) and 30 (p<0.01) in diabetic animals. In addition, bone healing in irradiated diabetic group was statistically similar to control group at 30 days (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy increased the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and improved bone healing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.