Photobiomodulation Therapy for Attenuating the Dystrophic Phenotype of Mdx Mice

Photochem Photobiol. 2020 Jan;96(1):200-207. doi: 10.1111/php.13179. Epub 2020 Jan 3.

Abstract

This study analyzed photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) effects on regenerative, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and angiogenic markers in the dystrophic skeletal muscle of mdx mice, the experimental model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), during the acute phase of dystrophy disease. The following groups were set up: Ctrl (control group of normal wild-type mice; C57BL/10); mdx (untreated mdx mice); mdxPred (mdx mice treated with prednisolone) and mdxLA (mdx mice treated with PBMT). The PBMT was carried out using an Aluminum Gallium Arsenide (AIGaAs; IBRAMED® laserpulse) diode, 830 nm wavelength, applied on the dystrophic quadriceps muscle. The mdxLA group showed a degenerative and regenerative area reduction simultaneously with a MyoD level increase, ROS production and inflammatory marker reduction and up-regulation in the VEGF factor. In addition, PBMT presented similar effects to prednisolone treatment in most of the parameters analyzed. In conclusion, our results indicate that PBMT in the parameters selected attenuated the dystrophic phenotype of mdx mice, improving skeletal muscle regeneration; reducing the oxidative stress and inflammatory process; and up-regulating the angiogenic marker.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Low-Level Light Therapy*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred mdx
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / metabolism
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / therapy*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / metabolism
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / therapy*
  • Phenotype
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A