Luciano Ramos

Effect of Cluster Multi-Diode Light Emitting Diode Therapy (LEDT) on Exercise-Induced Skeletal Muscle Fatigue and Skeletal Muscle Recovery in Humans

There are some indications that low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) may delay the development of skeletal muscle fatigue during high‐intensity exercise. There have also been claims that LED cluster probes may be effective for this application however there are differences between LED and laser sources like spot size, spectral width, power output, etc. In this study we wanted to test if light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) can alter muscle performance, fatigue development and biochemical markers for skeletal muscle recovery in an experimental model of biceps humeri muscle contractions.

Infrared (810 nm) Low‐level Laser Therapy in Rat Achilles Tendinitis: A Consistent Alternative to Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used and can reduce musculoskeletal pain in spite of the cost of adverse reactions like gastrointestinal ulcers or cardiovascular events. The current study investigates if a safer treatment such as low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) could reduce tendinitis inflammation, and whether a possible pathway could be through inhibition of either of the two‐cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms in inflammation. Wistar rats (six animals per group) were injected with saline (control) or collagenase in their Achilles tendons. Then, we treated them with three different doses of IR LLLT (810 nm; 100 mW; 10 s, 30 s and 60 s; 3.57 W cm−2; 1 J, 3 J, 6 J) at the sites of the injections, or intramuscular diclofenac, a nonselective COX inhibitor/NSAID. We found that LLLT dose of 3 J significantly reduced inflammation through less COX‐2‐derived gene expression and PGE2 production, and less edema formation compared to nonirradiated controls. Diclofenac controls exhibited significantly lower PGE2 cytokine levels at 6 h than collagenase control, but COX isoform 1‐derived gene expression and cytokine PGE2 levels were not affected by treatments. As LLLT seems to act on inflammation through a selective inhibition of the COX‐2 isoform in collagenase‐induced tendinitis, LLLT may have potential to become a new and safer nondrug alternative to coxibs.

Infrared (810 nm) Low-Level Laser Therapy in Experimental Model of Strain-Induced Skeletal Muscle Injury in Rats: Effects on Functional Outcomes

Muscle strains are among the most prevalent causes for athletes’ absence from sport activities. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) has recently emerged as a potential contender to nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in muscle strain treatment. In this work we investigated effects of LLLT and diclofenac on functional outcomes in the acute stage after muscle strain injury in rats. Muscle strain was induced by overloading the tibialis anterior muscle of rats during anesthesia. The injured groups received either no treatment, or a single treatment with diclofenac 30 min prior to injury, or LLLT (810 nm, 100 mW) with doses of 1, 3, 6 or 9 J, at 1 h after injury. Functional outcome measures included a walking index and assessment of electrically induced muscle performance. All treatments (except 9 J LLLT) significantly improved the walking index 12 h postinjury compared with the untreated group. The 3 J group also showed a significantly better walking index than the drug group. All treatments significantly improved muscle performance at 6 and 12 h. LLLT dose of 3 J was as effective as the pharmacological agent in improving functional outcomes in the early phase after a muscle strain injury in rats.

Thickened Pituitary Stalk Associated with a Mass in the Sphenoidal Sinus: An Alarm to Suspect Hypophysitis by Immunoglobulin G4?

Introduction Hypophysitis is a chronic inflammation of the pituitary gland of complex and still incompletely defined pathogenesis. It belongs to the group of non-hormone-secreting sellar masses, sharing with them comparable clinical presentation and radiographic appearance. Objectives Describe the case of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related hypophysitis presenting as a mass in the sphenoid sinus. Resumed Report A 40-year-old Brazilian man had a diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus since 2001 associated with pituitary insufficiency. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging revealed a centered pituitary stalk with focal nodular thickening and the presence of heterogeneous materials inside the sphenoid sinus. The patient was treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Laboratory results revealed increased IgG4 serum. Conclusion IgG4-related hypophysitis should be considered in patients with pituitary insufficiency associated with sellar mass and/or thickened pituitary stalk. IgG4 serum measurement for early diagnosis of IgG4-related hypophysitis should be performed.