Photobiomodulation Therapy Reduces Inflammation and Improves Skin Flap Survival in Animal Model
Erika Aparecida Felix de Barros Pinto
Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Alexandre Jin Book Audi Chang
Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Deiwet Ribeiro Silva
Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rodrigo Labat Marcos
Postgraduate Program in Medicine-Biophotonics, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ana Paula Ligeiro de Oliveira
Postgraduate Program in Medicine-Biophotonics, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
José Antônio Silva Junior
Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil and Postgraduate Program in Medicine-Biophotonics, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Stella Regina Zamuner *
Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil and Postgraduate Program in Medicine-Biophotonics, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Photobiomodulation, a noninvasive and efficient technique, has the potential to improve microcirculation and promote neovascularization. Therefore, photobiomodulation has emerged as a promising method for reducing the risk of skin flap necrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of photobiomodulation on inflammatory cells and cytokine levels in skin flaps in a murine model. Forty-eight adult male mice (Balb/C, 20-25g) were divided into control (n=24) and experiment (n=24) groups. Skin flap was raised on the dorsum of each animal, with the experiment group receiving irradiation. Photobiomodulation treatment had a wavelength of 660 nm, radiant exposure of 2 J/cm2 for 20 s in the internal vascular pedicle of the flap. Animals were euthanized on the 4th, 7th, and 10th postoperative day. A skin sample was collected for histological assessment, and a blood sample was immediately taken to determine interleukin levels. Results showed that PBM treatment significantly decreased flap necrosis at all evaluation times, accompanied by a significantly reduced pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL) IL-1\(\beta\), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) while increasing the levels of the anti-inflammatory IL-10. In addition, photobiomodulation treatment led to a significant reduction in inflammatory cells in the skin flaps. These findings demonstrate that photobiomodulation enhances the healing process and promotes tissue reconstruction in skin flaps by modulating inflammatory mediators.
Keywords: Photobiomodulation, cytokines, low intensity laser, inflammation, necrosis