Experimental burns: Comparison between silver sulfadiazine and photobiomodulation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze morphological characteristics and organization of the collagen fibers of third degree burns from scalding compared to laser therapy and silver sulfadiazine, the latter considered as the gold standard. METHOD: Were selected 12 animals (Rattus norvegicus) also divided into three groups (control group [CG] - untreated burns; sulfadiazine group [SG] - burns were treated with silver sulfadiazine at 1%; laser group [LG] - burns were treated with photobiomodulation). The scald burns were carried out by using PVC mold, and the material collected on the 14th day after burn was prepared for morphological and optical retardation analysis for evaluation of inflammatory infiltrates and collagen organization, respectively. RESULTS: On the 14th day, the laser and sulfadiazine groups had mild inflammatory response, while the control group showed an intense inflammatory process, with statistical significance between laser and control groups, but not between sulfadiazine and control groups. Laser and sulfadiazine groups no longer had granulation tissue, opposite to what was seen in the control group. The presence of hair follicles and ulcer did not significantly differ between groups. The optical retardation of collagen fibers was higher in sulfadiazine group, followed by laser and control groups. As for systemic effect, we were able to identify it by simply analyzing the presence or absence of granulation tissue. CONCLUSION: Morphologically, the laser or silver sulfadiazine treatments were similar and both provided better organization of collagen fibers in relation to the untreated group. However, the sulfadiazine group modulated the deposition of collagen fibers more efficiently than the laser group.

Experimental burns: Comparison between silver sulfadiazine and photobiomodulation / Queimadura experimental: comparativo entre sulfadiazina de prata e fotobiomodulação

Summary Objective: To analyze morphological characteristics and organization of the collagen fibers of third degree burns from scalding compared to laser therapy and silver sulfadiazine, the latter considered as the gold standard. Method: Were selected 12 animals (Rattus norvegicus) also divided into three groups (control group [CG] - untreated burns; sulfadiazine group [SG] - burns were treated with silver sulfadiazine at 1%; laser group [LG] - burns were treated with photobiomodulation). The scald burns were carried out by using PVC mold, and the material collected on the 14th day after burn was prepared for morphological and optical retardation analysis for evaluation of inflammatory infiltrates and collagen organization, respectively. Results: On the 14th day, the laser and sulfadiazine groups had mild inflammatory response, while the control group showed an intense inflammatory process, with statistical significance between laser and control groups, but not between sulfadiazine and control groups. Laser and sulfadiazine groups no longer had granulation tissue, opposite to what was seen in the control group. The presence of hair follicles and ulcer did not significantly differ between groups. The optical retardation of collagen fibers was higher in sulfadiazine group, followed by laser and control groups. As for systemic effect, we were able to identify it by simply analyzing the presence or absence of granulation tissue. Conclusion: Morphologically, the laser or silver sulfadiazine treatments were similar and both provided better organization of collagen fibers in relation to the untreated group. However, the sulfadiazine group modulated the deposition of collagen fibers more efficiently than the laser group.

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar características morfológicas e organização das fibras colágenas de queimaduras de terceiro grau provocadas por escaldo em relação à terapia com laser e àquela considerada padrão-ouro, a sulfadiazina de prata. Método: Foram selecionados 12 animais (Rattus norvegicus), divididos igualmente em três grupos (grupo controle [GC] - queimaduras não tratadas; grupo sulfadiazina [GS] - queimaduras tratadas com sulfadiazina de prata 1%; grupo laser [GL] - queimaduras tratadas com fotobiomodulação). As queimaduras foram realizadas por escaldo com a utilização de molde de PVC, e o material coletado no 14º dia pós-queimadura foi preparado para análise morfológica e de retardo óptico, para avaliação do infiltrado inflamatório e da organização do colágeno, respectivamente. Resultados: No 14º dia, os grupos laser e sulfadiazina apresentaram resposta inflamatória leve, enquanto o grupo controle apresentou processo inflamatório intenso, havendo significância estatística entre os grupos laser e controle, mas não entre os grupos sulfadiazina e controle. Enquanto os grupos laser e sulfadiazina não apresentavam mais tecido de granulação, o grupo controle ainda apresentava. A presença de folículo piloso e de úlcera não diferiu significantemente entre os grupos. O retardo óptico das fibras colágenas foi maior no grupo sulfadiazina, seguido dos grupos laser e controle. Apenas a análise da presença ou ausência de tecido de granulação permitiu identificar o efeito sistêmico. Conclusão: Morfologicamente, os tratamentos com laser ou sulfadiazina de prata foram similares e ambos proporcionaram maior organização das fibras colágenas em relação ao grupo não tratado. Entretanto, o grupo sulfadiazina modulou a deposição das fibras colágenas mais eficientemente que o grupo laser.

The effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied prior to muscle injury.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of LLLT (780 nm; 10 J/cm2 , 40 mW, 3.2 J) prior to injury on the morphological analysis, collagen deposition, and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into groups: control; sham; only LLLT; only muscle injury and LLLT + injury. The rats were euthanized at 1, 3, and 7 days following cryoinjury to muscle that was removed for analysis. RESULTS: LLLT applied prior to muscle injury led to a reduction in myonecrosis and inflammatory cells, an increase of blood vessels and immature muscle fibers. An increase in MMP-2 activity and a decrease in collagen deposition were also found, with a better collagen organization and distribution. CONCLUSION: LLLT applied immediately prior to injury had positive effects during the muscle regeneration process. Therefore, this resource may have considerable therapeutic value, especially for athletes who practice sports in which there is a constant risk of muscle injury. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:571-578, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tissue responses to postoperative laser therapy in diabetic rats submitted to excisional wounds.

In a previous study about low-level laser therapy biomodulation on a full-thickness burn model we showed that single and fractionated dose regimens increased wound healing and leukocyte influx similarly when compared with untreated control. In order to verify if this finding would be similar in an impaired wound model, we investigated the effect of single and multiple irradiations on wound closure rate, type of inflammatory infiltrate, myofibroblasts, collagen deposition, and optical retardation of collagen in diabetic rats. Female Wistar rats in the same estrous cycle had diabetes induced with streptozotocin and an 8-mm excisional wound performed with a punch. The experimental groups were: control group--untreated ulcer; single-dose group--ulcer submitted to single dose of diode laser therapy (λ = 660 ± 2 nm; P = 30 mW; energy density: 4 J/cm2) and fractionated-dose group--ulcer submitted to 1 J/cm2 laser therapy on Days 1, 3, 8, and 10. The ulcers were photographed on the experimental days and after euthanasia tissue samples were routinely processed for histological and immunohistochemistry analyses. Independently of the energy density, laser therapy accelerated wound closure by approximately 40% in the first three days in comparison to the control group. Laser therapy increased acute inflammatory infiltrate until Day 3. Both laser groups exhibited more myofibroblasts and better collagen organization than the control group. The findings demonstrate that low-level laser therapy in the immediate postoperative period can enhance the tissue repair process in a diabetes model. Similar effects were achieved with laser therapy applied a single time with an energy density of 4 J/cm2 and applied four times with an energy density of 1 J/cm2. The application of laser therapy in the inflammatory phase was the most important factor to the enhancement of the tissue repair process.