Wound healing process with different photobiomodulation therapy protocols to treat 5-FU-induced oral mucositis in hamsters

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of three different Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) protocols in the treatment of 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters. Design: 60 hamsters were divided into five groups: group C, which did not receive oral mucosa scratching, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or PBMT; group Ch, which received anesthesia, superficial oral mucosa scratching and 5-FU (oral mucositis induction); and three groups that received oral mucositis induction and a PBMT protocol: groups ChLI, ChLII and ChLIII that received 0.24 J (one point), 1 J (one point) and 1.2 J (five points of 0.24 J) of energy, respectively. The laser equipment used had k = 660 nm and 0.04 cm2 of spot area (0.226 cm diameter). The animals were euthanized on days 7 and 10 of the experiment, and their oral mucosas were removed for histological (light microscopy and collagen staining), immunohistochemical (NF-kB and TNF-alpha), and biochemical (TNF-alpha, NF-kB and hydroxyproline) analysis. Results: Group ChLI (less energy), showed the most accelerated repair rates and a lower concentration of inflammatory biomarkers than group Ch. Comparing the three PBMT protocols for treatment of 5-FU-induced oral mucositis in hamsters, the one with low energy (0.24 J) showed better results, regarding reduction of inflammatory biomarkers and tissue repair, than the ones with higher energy (1 and 1.2 J).

Automated summary

In the treatment of 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters, the PBMT protocol with low energy (0.24 J) showed better results in reducing inflammatory biomarkers and promoting tissue repair compared to higher energy protocols (1 and 1.2 J). Group ChLI, with less energy, exhibited faster repair rates and lower inflammatory biomarker concentrations than group Ch.