Effects of laser on the bones and cartilages of mice during the early post-weaning period

ABSTRACT

The knee joint of 15 mice were exposed to daily doses of infra-red laser. Five animals were killed after 10, 20 and 30 days of application with an equal number of age matched controls. Histological examination was carried out on paraffin sections stained with H x and E. The volume and surface densities of the epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone trabeculae of the proximal end of tibia and distal end of femur were calculated using stereological techniques. The thickness of the articular and epiphyseal cartilages were also measured. It was found than laser had an enhancing effect on trabecular bone formation and cartilage thickness. The growth patterns of these structures, however, were preserved. It was concluded that laser application, in therapeutic doses, did not disturb the structural architecture of these structures. These findings need further investigation to explore their possible application