Inflammatory modulating effects of Low Level Laser Therapy on iNOS Expression by means of Bioluminescence Imaging

摘要

This study investigates the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in modulating inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression as molecular marker of the inflammation signaling pathway. LLLT was mediated by different therapeutic wavelengths using transgenic animals with the luciferase gene under control of the iNOS gene expression. Inflammation in 30 transgenic mice (iNOS-luc mice, from FVB strain) was induced by intra-articular injection of Zymosan-A in both knee joints. Four experimental groups were treated with one of four different wavelengths (λ=635, 785, 808 and 905nm) and one not laser-irradiated control group. Laser treatment (25 mW cm~(-2), 5 J cm~(-2)) was applied to the knees 15 minutes after inflammation induction. Measurements of iNOS expression were performed at multiple times (0, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 24h) post-LLLT by measuring the bioluminescence signal using a highly sensitive charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The responsivity of BLI was sufficient to demonstrate a significant increase in bioluminescence signals after laser irradiation of 635nm when compared to non-irradiated animals and the other LLLT treated groups, showing the wavelength-dependence of LLLT on iNOS expression during the acute inflammatory process.