Histological and biochemical effects of preventive and therapeutic vascular photobiomodulation on rat muscle injury.

The intravascular or transcutaneous application of photobiomodulation (PBM) over blood vessels (vascular photobiomodulation, VPBM) has been used for the treatment of inflammatory and chronic conditions with promising systemic results. This study evaluated the VPBM effects on a model of muscle regeneration after acute injury and compared the outcomes of preventive and therapeutic VPBM. Transcutaneous VPBM was administered over the rat's main tail vein. Serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate were evaluated and muscles were processed for macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Preventive and therapeutic VPBM led to decreased inflammatory infiltrate, edema, and myonecrosis but with an increase in immature muscle fibers. CK, AST, and lactate levels were lower in the groups treated with VPBM (lowest concentrations in preventive VPBM application). Preventive and therapeutic VPBM were capable of exerting a positive effect on acute muscle injury repair, with more accentuated results when preventive VPBM was administered.

Hypoglicemic and Hypolipedimic Effects of Ganoderma lucidum in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Background:Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. Ex. Fr) Karst is a basidiomycete mushroom that has been used for many years as a food supplement and medicine. In Brazil, National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) classified Ganoderma lucidum as a nutraceutical product. The objective of the present work was to observe the effects of an extract from Ganoderma lucidum in rats treated with streptozotocin, and an agent that induces diabetes. Method: Male Wistar rats were obtained from the animal lodging facilities of both University Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) and Lusiada Universitary Center (UNILUS) with approval from the Ethics Committee for Animal Research. Animals were separated into groups: (1) C: Normoglycemic control water; (2) CE: Normoglycemic control group that received hydroethanolic extract (GWA); (3) DM1 + GWA: Diabetic group that received extract GWA; and (4) DM1: Diabetic group that received water. The treatment was evaluated over a 30-day period. Food and water were weighted, and blood plasma biochemical analysis performed. Results: G. lucidum extract contained beta-glucan, proteins and phenols. Biochemical analysis indicated a decrease of plasma glycemic and lipid levels in DM rats induced with streptozotocin and treated with GWA extract. Histopathological analysis from pancreas of GWA-treated DM animals showed preservation of up to 50% of pancreatic islet total area when compared to the DM control group. In plasma, Kyn was present in diabetic rats, while in treated diabetic rats more Trp was detected. Conclusion: Evaluation from G. lucidum extract in STZ-hyperglycemic rats indicated that the extract possesses hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. Support: Proj. CNPq 474681/201.