RESUMO
High cholesterol serum levels increases risk of coronary artery disease. To reduce this risk, statins, which is not devoid of side effects in ICU patients, have been prescribed to inhibit the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis. It was proposed that Low-level laser therapy [LLLT] may reduce cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels. This randomized, controlled study investigates the influence of LLLT on the noninvasive reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels in ICU. Twenty ICU patients, 10 in each group, were enrolled in the study. The study group used ilipo LLLT device with 4 laser pads strapped around patient abdomen emitting 650-660 nm [red] laser light. The control group received sham laser. The laser therapy sessions were done for 55 minutes, twice weekly for two successive weeks with 3 days between sessions. Blood samples were drawn prior to the laser administration. A standard lipid panel was studied before the procedure to establish a baseline and at the end of the second procedure week. The serum triglyceride and total cholesterol and low and high density lipoproteins levels before and after the LLLT were compared. The total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels in the study group revealed a statistically significant mean change of-15.43 and -13.7 respectively between study baseline and endpoint [P <0.05]. The potential application of the noninvasive chemical-free LLLT for cholesterol and triglyceride reduction tended to show favorable results in ICU patients