Low level laser therapy increases angiogenesis in a model of ischemic skin flap in rats mediated by VEGF, HIF-1α and MMP-2

Vivian Cury, Ana Iochabel Soares Moretti, Lívia Assis, Paulo Bossini, Jaqueline De Souza Crusca, Carlos Benatti Neto, Renan Fangel, Heraldo Possolo De Souza, Michael R. Hamblin, Nivaldo Antonio Parizotto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

144 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

It is known that low level laser therapy is able to improve skin flap viability by increasing angiogenesis. However, the mechanism for new blood vessel formation is not completely understood. Here, we investigated the effects of 660 nm and 780 nm lasers at fluences of 30 and 40 J/cm2 on three important mediators activated during angiogenesis. Sixty male Wistar rats were used and randomly divided into five groups with twelve animals each. Groups were distributed as follows: skin flap surgery non-irradiated group as a control; skin flap surgery irradiated with 660 nm laser at a fluence of 30 or 40 J/cm2 and skin flap surgery irradiated with 780 nm laser at a fluence of 30 or 40 J/cm2. The random skin flap was performed measuring 10 × 4 cm, with a plastic sheet interposed between the flap and the donor site. Laser irradiation was performed on 24 points covering the flap and surrounding skin immediately after the surgery and for 7 consecutive days thereafter. Tissues were collected, and the number of vessels, angiogenesis markers (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF and hypoxia inducible factor, HIF-1α) and a tissue remodeling marker (matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-2) were analyzed. LLLT increased an angiogenesis, HIF-1α and VEGF expression and decrease MMP-2 activity. These phenomena were dependent on the fluences, and wavelengths used. In this study we showed that LLLT may improve the healing of skin flaps by enhancing the amount of new vessels formed in the tissue. Both 660 nm and 780 nm lasers were able to modulate VEGF secretion, MMP-2 activity and HIF-1α expression in a dose dependent manner.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)164-170
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Volume125
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Angiogenesis
  • HIF1-α
  • Hypoxia
  • LLLT
  • MMP-2
  • VEGF

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiation
  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Biophysics
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

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