Heat shock protein hyperexpression on chorioretinal layers after transpupillary thermotherapy. (1/232)

PURPOSE: To assess a biological effect induced by temperature elevation during transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). METHODS: Six pigmented rabbits were anesthetized, and TTT was performed on the right eye using an 810-nm diode laser installed on a slit lamp (spot size, 1.3 mm; duration, 60 seconds; power, 92-150 mW). A series of laser pulses were aimed at the posterior pole of the retina. The left eyes were used as the control. Twenty-four hours after laser irradiation, a histologic study was performed on the chorioretinal layers. Tissue samples were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. A monoclonal antibody was used to detect heat shock protein (Hsp)70 immunoreactivity, followed by a biotinylated goat anti-mouse antibody, revealed by the avidin-biotin complex and the 3-amino-9-ethyl-carbazole (AEC) chromogen. Retinal structures were further identified by hematoxylin erythrosin saffron (HES) coloration. RESULTS: The photocoagulation threshold was found to be at the 150-mW laser power. Under this threshold, Hsp70 immunostaining was the strongest at the 127-mW power, with staining of some choroidal cells, including capillary endothelial cells. No Hsp70 immunoreactivity was observed on the retina. At the 107-mW power, Hsp70 reactivity was observed only in occasional choroidal cells. At the 98-mW power, only mild, diffuse Hsp70 immunoreactivity was observed in the choroid. At the 92-mW power, as in nonirradiated eyes, no Hsp70 immunoreactivity was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Subthreshold transpupillary 810-nm laser irradiation induces choroidal Hsp hyperexpression. This confirms that choroidal Hsp hyperexpression can be induced during TTT, as has been recently hypothesized by several investigators.  (+info)

Low-energy laser irradiation promotes the survival and cell cycle entry of skeletal muscle satellite cells. (2/232)

Low energy laser irradiation (LELI) has been shown to promote skeletal muscle cell activation and proliferation in primary cultures of satellite cells as well as in myogenic cell lines. Here, we have extended these studies to isolated myofibers. These constitute the minimum viable functional unit of the skeletal muscle, thus providing a close model of in vivo regeneration of muscle tissue. We show that LELI stimulates cell cycle entry and the accumulation of satellite cells around isolated single fibers grown under serum-free conditions and that these effects act synergistically with the addition of serum. Moreover, for the first time we show that LELI promotes the survival of fibers and their adjacent cells, as well as cultured myogenic cells, under serum-free conditions that normally lead to apoptosis. In both systems, expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was markedly increased, whereas expression of the pro-apoptotic protein BAX was reduced. In culture, these changes were accompanied by a reduction in the expression of p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, reflecting the small decrease in viable cells 24 hours after irradiation. These findings implicate regulation of these factors as part of the protective role of LELI against apoptosis. Taken together, our findings are of critical importance in attempts to improve muscle regeneration following injury.  (+info)

Endovascular treatment using low-power ultraviolet laser for delayed vasospasm in the rabbit carotid artery model. (3/232)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We previously reported that pretreatment with external ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at 325 nm before blood exposure prevented the development of chronic vasospasm in rabbit common carotid arteries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of endovascular UV light on vasospasm after blood immersion by using the same animal model. METHODS: The right common carotid arteries in 63 rabbits were enclosed in silicon cuffs on day 0. Sheaths were empty or filled with clotted blood. Thirty minutes after the placement of the sheaths, either alone or with blood, the common carotid arteries were subjected to UV or visible light (442 nm) irradiation via an endovascular approach at a fluence rate of 0.17 W/cm(2). The animals were killed on day 2, 9, or 30. Digital subtraction angiography was performed on days 0 and 2 and at the end point to evaluate the degree of vasospasm. RESULTS: UV treatment significantly prevented the development of vasospasm on day 2. On days 9 and 30, there were no significant differences between UV-treated animals and control animals. The preventive effect reached an approximate plateau with an irradiation time of 10 s. No severe vascular injury, such as perforation, occurred in response to UV treatment during the observation period. UV light was significantly more effective than visible light in preventing vasospasm (P <.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that endovascular UV irradiation after blood exposure has a prophylactic effect on vasospasm and suggest a dependence on irradiation wavelength and duration of irradiation.  (+info)

Variable pulse frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser versus flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser in the treatment of port wine stains. (4/232)

The flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (FPDL) is regarded as the gold standard in the treatment of port wine stains. The purpose of this prospective, intra-individual, comparative clinical study was to investigate whether a frequency-doubled variable pulsed Nd:YAG laser (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG) is equally as safe and effective as established lasers. Forty-three patients with port wine stains were included in the study. Test treatments were performed using the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm; 4 mm psi; 5-50 ms; 5.5 to 15 J/cm2) versus the FPDL (585 nm; 450 micros; 7 mm psi; 6 J/cm2). After 6 weeks, a full lesional treatment was performed using the device and the parameters showing the best clearance and the fewest side effects. The clearance of the lesions was generally good to fair. With the exception of poor results at 5 ms and 5.5 J/cm2 with the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, there were no significant differences between the two laser devices. Scar formation, nevertheless, occurred in only 3% of the FPDL-treated sites versus up to 18% of the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG sites, increasing with pulse duration. In port wine stains, the FPDL remains the therapy of choice because of the somewhat better results and a lower frequency of side effects, especially scarring.  (+info)

Nonablative laser and light therapy: an approach to patient and device selection. (5/232)

Nonablative laser and light therapy is a relatively novel modality for the improvement of the visual appearance of photodamaged, scarred, and injured skin. A number of different wavelengths and devices have been purported to be efficacious for the delivery of nonablative therapy. Among the features that can be addressed are red spots and telangiectasia, pigmentation and lentigines, and their daily routines while benefiting from the cumulative effects of skin rejuvenation.  (+info)

Treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema with low-level laser therapy: a double blind, placebo-controlled trial. (6/232)

BACKGROUND: The current study describes the results of a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, single crossover trial of the treatment of patients with postmastectomy lymphedema (PML) with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). METHODS: Participants received placebo or one cycle or two cycles of LLLT to the axillary region of their affected arm. They were monitored for reductions in affected limb volume, upper body extracellular tissue fluid distribution, dermal tonometry, and range of limb movement. RESULTS: There was no significant improvement reported immediately after any of the treatments. However, the mean affected limb volume was found to be significantly reduced at 1 month or 3 months of follow-up after 2 cycles of active laser treatment. Approximately 31% of subjects had a clinically significant reduction in the volume of their PML-affected arm (> 200 mLs) approximately 2-3 months after 2 cycles of treatment. There was no significant effect of placebo treatment, or one cycle of laser treatment, on affected limb volume. The extracellular fluid index of the affected and unaffected arms and torso were reported to be significantly reduced at 3 months after 2 cycles of laser therapy, and there was significant softening of the tissues in the affected upper arm. Treatment did not appear to improve range of movement of the affected arm. CONCLUSIONS: Two cycles of laser treatment were found to be effective in reducing the volume of the affected arm, extracellular fluid, and tissue hardness in approximately 33% of patients with postmastectomy lymphedema at 3 months after treatment.  (+info)

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. (7/232)

A 28-year old woman with extensive right-leg capillary malformation associated with limb hypertrophy and limb-length discrepancy consistent with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is presented. Treatment with the new long-pulsed-dye lasers may lead to improvement of the superficial hemangioma component of the affected areas.  (+info)

Effect of low level laser therapy on the repair of bone defects grafted with inorganic bovine bone. (8/232)

The aim of this study was to assess histologically the effect of LLLT (lambda 830 nm) on the repair of standardized bone defects on the femur of Wistar albinus rats which were grafted with inorganic bovine bone Gen-ox(R). Three randomized groups were studied: group I (control, n=6); group II (Gen-ox, n=9) and group III (Gen-ox + LLLT, n=9). The animals were irradiated every 48 h during 15 days; the first irradiation was performed immediately after the procedure. The animals were irradiated transcutaneuosly at four points around the defect. At each point a dose of 4 J/cm(2) was given (O approximately 0.6 mm, 40 mW) and the total dose per session was 16 J/cm(2). The animals were killed by an overdose of general anesthetic 15, 21 and 30 days after surgery. The specimens were routinely processed by embedding in paraffin, serially cut and stained with H&E and Picrosirius and analyzed under light microscopy. The results showed evidence of a more advanced repair in the irradiated group when compared to the non-irradiated groups. The repair of the irradiated group was characterized by both increased bone formation and amount of collagen fibers around the graft within the cavity from the 15th day after surgery, also considering the osteoconductive capacity of the Gen-ox. We conclude that LLLT had a positive effect on the repair of bone defects implanted with inorganic bovine bone.  (+info)