Single Session to Infrared Low Level Diode Laser on TNF-alpha. and IL-6 Cytokines Release by Mononuclear Spleen Cells in Mice: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: the results of low-level infrared laser (LLL) systemic action on inflammatory modulation process, specifically diminishing pro-inflammatory and producing anti-inflammatory cytokines are extremely controversial in the literature. More studies are necessary to clarify the biomodulation process the main objective was to investigate the effect of a single session of an AsGaAl laser on spleen cells interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-alpha) release, in vivo, in mice StudyDesign/Materials and Methods: in a pilot study, 18 isogenic mice were distributed in three groups: control (no surgical procedure, n = 6), sham (surgical procedure with three standard cutaneous incisions, followed by abdominal muscle incision followed by suture, n = 6) and LLL (same procedure followed by a single LLL exposure 12 hours after the procedure, n = 6) the animals in the LLL group received a single infrared continuous laser session (780 nm wavelength, power of 20 mW, energy density of 10J/cm(2)) on three points (20 seconds per point), and final energy of 0 4J. All animals of the sham and LLL groups were sacrificed 36 hours after surgical procedure; the spleen mononuclear cells were isolated and cultivated for 48 hours the IL-6 and TNF-a were measured by the ELISA method.Results: IL-6 and TNF-a concentrations released by the mononuclear cells showed significant differences between the control and sham group (P<007) However, there were no differences between the control and LLL group and between the sham and LLL groups (P>007)Conclusion: the single session of infrared LLL showed a tendency of decreasing the IL-6 and TNF-a release by mononuclear spleen cells in mice after application, although there was not a significant difference between the sham and LLL group Conclusions regarding effectiveness of a single session procedure cannot be made due to the low statistical power of this pilot study. Lasers Surg Med 42 584-588, 2010 (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc