Laser Treatment - Low-Level

PURPOSE: This paper aims to evaluate the effects of laser (660 nm) and light-emitting diode (LED) (670 nm) irradiation in the cheek pouch mucosa of hamsters with oral mucositis (OM) induced by chemotherapy (Che) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the preventive groups, the photobiomodulation was started 1 day before the drug administration and was performed every 48 h (Ia, IIa, Ib, and IIb). In the therapeutic groups (IIIa, IIIb, IVa, and IVb), the irradiations were started on the third day after the Che d(0) and was performed every 48 h. In both groups, animals were sacrificed 7 or 14 days after Che. In the positive control groups, the hamsters were subjected to Che but did not receive irradiation, and they were sacrificed in 7 days (Va) or 14 days (Vb). In the negative control groups, no procedures were done and the animals were sacrificed 7 days (Vc) or 14 days (Vd) after the experiment started.

RESULTS: The results indicated loss of body mass, xerostomia, and alopecia in the animals subjected to Che and the healing of OM to different degrees after the photobiomodulation treatment. Histologically, the positive control and experimental groups showed inflammation, predominately with lymphocytes and plasma cells, which tended to diminish with time. Epithelial atrophy, hyperemia, fibroblast proliferation, and vascular congestion were also observed at those intervals.

CONCLUSIONS: The best results were obtained from the preventive laser and LED photobiomodulation groups; both treatments were effective in diminishing the OM lesions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A noninvasive and effective method with sparse side effects of OM would be desirable for use in cancer centers around the world.