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There are few published data on the relationship between loss of bone mass due to osteoporosis and poor tooth quality. This study analyzed the effects of osteoporosis on incisor teeth and femoral bones using optical techniques in rats. Twenty female Wistar rats aged 6 months (n = 20) were randomized into two groups: control group, non-ovariectomized rats (n = 10); ovariectomy group, ovariectomized rats to induce osteoporosis (n = 10). Each group was subdivided randomly into two groups containing five rats each as follows. Control group 1: non-ovariectomized rats euthanized at the age of 9 or 3 months post-ovariectomy (n = 5); Control group 2: non-ovariectomized rats euthanized at the age of 1 year or 6 months post-ovariectomy (n = 5); ovariectomy group 1: ovariectomized rats euthanized at the age of 9 months or 3 months post-ovariectomy (n = 5); ovariectomy group 2: ovariectomized rats euthanized at the age of 1 year or 6 months post-ovariectomy (n = 5). The incisor teeth and femoral bones of Wistar rats were removed to perform Raman spectroscopy using an excitation laser at 785 nm. In addition, an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer system was used to evaluate calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). The main findings included significant changes (p < 0.05) for phosphate and carbonate band areas for both incisor teeth and femur bones. In addition, there was significant negative correlation between the P concentration and phosphate/carbonate ratio (lower P content–larger ratio, p < 0.05) for incisor teeth and femoral bones. The proline and CH2 wag band areas were significantly reduced only for the incisor teeth (p < 0.05). Therefore, Raman spectroscopy assessed the compositional, physicochemical and structural changes in hard tissue. The current study also pointed out the possible action mechanisms of these changes, bone fracture risk and dental fragility. It is important to emphasize that poor dental quality may also occur due to osteoporosis.

This study evaluated the synergistic effects of ultrasound (US) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with or without therapeutic exercises (TE) in women with knee osteoarthritis. Forty-two Caucasian women with knee osteoarthritis were allocated into three groups: (1) the placebo group who did not perform TE, but the prototype without emitting light or ultrasonic waves was applied, (2) the US + LLLT group in which only the prototype was applied and (3) the TE + US + LLLT group that performed TE before the prototype was applied. However, 35 women completed the full clinical trial. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) using an algometer and functional performance during the sit-to-stand test were carried out. The average PPT levels increased for US + LLLT (41 ± 9 to 54 ± 15 N, p < 0.01) and TE + US + LLLT (32 ± 8 to 45 ± 9 N, p < 0.01) groups. The number of sit-to-stands was significantly higher for all groups. However, the change between pre-treatment and post-treatment (delta value) was greater for the US + LLLT (4 ± 1) and TE + US + LLLT groups (5 ± 1) than for the placebo group (2 ± 1) with a significant intergroup difference (p < 0.05). This study showed reduced pain and increased physical functionality after 3 months of US + LLLT with and without TE.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely applied in pain relief in several clinical situations, including temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the effects of LED therapy on TMD has not been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effects of red and infrared LEDs on: (1) tissue temperature in ex vivo and (2) pain relief and mandibular range of motion in patients with TMD. Thirty patients between 18 and 40 years old were included and randomly assigned to three groups. The two experimental groups were: the red LED (630 ± 10 nm) group and the infrared LED (850 ± 10 nm) group. The irradiation parameters were 150 mW, 300 mW/cm 2 , 18 J/cm 2 , and 9 J/point. The positive control group received an infrared laser (780 nm) with 70 mW, 1.7 W/cm 2 , 105 J/cm 2 , and 4.2 J/point. LED and laser therapies were applied bilaterally to the face for 60 s/point. Five points were irradiated: three points around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), one point for the temporalis, and one near the masseter. Eight sessions of phototherapy were performed, twice a week for 4 weeks. Pain induced by palpating the masseter muscle and mandibular range of motion (maximum oral aperture) were measured at baseline, immediately after treatment, 7 days after treatment, and 30 days after treatment. There was an increase in tissue temperature during both the red and the infrared LED irradiation in ex vivo. There was a significant reduction of pain and increase of the maximum oral aperture for all groups ( p  ≥ 0.05). There was no significant difference in pain scores and maximum oral aperture between groups at baseline or any periods after treatment ( p  ≥ 0.05). The current study showed that red and infrared LED therapy can be useful in improving outcomes related to pain relief and orofacial function for TMD patients. We conclude that LED devices constitute an attractive alternative for LLLT.

Healing wounds represent a major public health problem, mainly when it is infected. Besides that, the antibiotics misuse and overuse favor the development of bacterial resistance. This study evaluated the effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) combined with artificial skin on disinfection of infected skin wound in rats. Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n = 6): (i) control—untreated; (ii) aPDT—treated with curcumin-mediated aPDT (blue light); (iii) artificial skin—treated with artificial skin alcohol-based; and (iv) aPDT plus artificial skin—treated with aPDT associated with artificial skin alcohol-based. For the in vivo model, a full-thickness biopsy with 0.80 cm was performed in order to inoculate the microorganism Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The aPDT was performed with a curcumin gel and a blue LED light (450 nm, 80 mW/cm2) at the dose of 60 J/cm2 and the treatment with alcohol-based artificial skin was done with the topical application of 250 μL. Additional animals were submitted to aPDT combined with the artificial skin. After treatments, the number of colony-forming units (CFU) and the damage area were determined. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey tests. The highest reduction of the bacterial viability was observed in the PDT plus artificial skin group (4.14 log10), followed by artificial skin (2.38 log10) and PDT (2.22 log10) groups. In addition, all treated groups showed higher relative area of wound contraction (36.21% for the PDT, 38.41% for artificial skin, and 35.02% for PDT plus artificial) in comparison with the control group. These findings provide evidence for the positive benefits of aPDT with blue light and curcumin associated with artificial skin to decontaminate and accelerate the wound contraction.

Patients with pain avoid movements, leading to a gradual impairment of their physical condition and functionality. In this context, the use of ultrasound (US) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) show promising results for nonpharmacological and noninvasive treatment. The aim of this study was evaluated the synergistic effects of the US and the LLLT (new prototype) with or without therapeutic exercises (TE) on pain and grip strength in women with hand osteoarthritis. Forty-five women with hand osteoarthritis, aged 60 to 80 years, were randomly assigned to one of three groups, but 43 women successfully completed the full study. The three groups were as follows: (i) the placebo group which did not perform TE, but the prototype without emitting electromagnetic or mechanical waves was applied ( n  = 11); (ii) the US + LLLT group which carried out only the prototype ( n  = 13); and (iii) the TE + US + LLLT group which performed TE before the prototype is applied ( n  = 13). The parameters of US were frequency 1 MHz; 1.0 W/cm 2 intensity, pulsed mode 1:1 (duty cycle 50 %). Regarding laser, the output power of the each laser was fixed at 100 mW leading to an energy value of 18 J per laser. Five points were irradiated per hand, during 3 min per point and 15 min per session. The prototype was applied after therapeutic exercises. The treatments are done once a week for 3 months. Grip strength and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured. Grip strength did not differ significantly for any of the groups ( p  ≥ 0.05). The average PPT between baseline and 3 months shows significant decrease of the pain sensitivity for both the US + LLLT group (∆ = 30 ± 19 N, p ˂0.001) and the TE + US + LLLT group (∆ = 32 ± 13 N, p  < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in average PPT for placebo group (∆ = −0.3 ± 9 N). There was no placebo effect. The new prototype that combines US and LLLT reduced pain in women with hand osteoarthritis.

Reduced aerobic fitness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases among the older population. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LED irradiation (850 nm) applied during treadmill training on the maximal exercise tolerance in postmenopausal women. At the beginning of the study, 45 postmenopausal women were assigned randomly to three groups, and 30 women completed the entire 6 months of the study. The groups were: (1) the LED group (treadmill training associated with phototherapy, n  = 10), (2) the exercise group (treadmill training, n  = 10), and (3) the sedentary group (neither physical training nor phototherapy, n  = 10). The training was performed for 45 min twice a week for 6 months at intensities between 85% and 90% maximal heart rate (HR max ). The irradiation parameters were 39 mW/cm 2 , 45 min and 108 J/cm 2 . The cardiovascular parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months. As expected, no significant differences were found in the sedentary group ( p  ≥ 0.05). The maximal time of tolerance (Tlim), metabolic equivalents (METs) and Bruce stage reached significantly higher values in the LED group and the exercise group ( p  < 0.01). Furthermore, the HR, double product and Borg score at isotime were significantly lower in the LED group and in the exercise group ( p  < 0.05). However, the time of recovery showed a significant decrease only in the LED group ( p  = 0.003). Moreover, the differences between before and after training (delta values) for the Tlim, METs and HR at isotime were greater in the LED group than in the exercise group with a significant intergroup difference ( p  < 0.05). Therefore, the infrared LED irradiation during treadmill training can improve maximal performance and post-exercise recovery in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to histologically and biochemically analyze the effects of light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) associated with resistance training to prevent sarcopenia in ovariectomized rats. Forty female Wistar rats (12 months old, 295–330 g) were bilaterally ovariectomized and divided into four groups ( n  = 10 per group): control–sedentary (C), resistance training (T), LEDT–sedentary (L), and LEDT plus resistance training (LT). Trained rats performed a 12-week water-jumping program (3 days per week) carrying a load equivalent to 50–80 % of their body mass strapped to their back. Depending on the group protocol, the LED device (850 nm, 100 mW, 120 J/cm 2 , spot size 0.5 cm 2 ) was used either as the only method or after the resistance training had been performed. The device was used in the single point contact mode (for 10 min). The irradiated region was the center of the greater trochanter of the right femur and the middle third of the rectus femoris muscle was subsequently analyzed histomorphometrically. Significant increases ( p  < 0.05) were noted for the muscle volume of the T (68.1 ± 19.7 %), the L (74.1 ± 5.1 %), and the LT (68.2 ± 11.5 %) groups compared to the C group (60.4 ± 5.5 %). There were also significant increases in the concentrations of IGF-1, IL-1, and TNF-α in the muscles of the treated groups ( p  < 0.05). Animals in the LT group showed a significant increase in IL-6 compared to T, L, and C groups ( p  < 0.05). These findings suggest that resistance training and LEDT can prevent sarcopenia in ovariectomized rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropometric, metabolic, cardiovascular and symptomatic profile in gynoid and android postmenopausal women. Forty five postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60 years were divided into two groups according to fat distribution [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)]: gynoid group (WHR between 0.68 and 0.8; N  = 13) and android group (WHR > 0.8; N  = 32). Body composition, skinfold thickness, serum/plasma estradiol, creatinine, urea, lipid profile, glucose and insulin, maximal exercise testing and menopause rating scale (MRS) were evaluated. The android group when compared to the gynoid group showed ( P  < 0.05): (i) higher values of body mass, BMI, waist circumference, body fat, lean mass and skinfold thickness; (ii) higher values of estradiol, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and insulin levels with lower insulin sensitivity (%S) and greater insulin resistance (%IR) index; (iii) higher blood pressure (BP) during rest and lower maximal heart rate (HRmax) during maximal exercise testing and; (iv) higher scores of the somatic and urogenital-sexual symptoms. This study suggests that android postmenopausal women develop features that can lead to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and future cardiovascular disease (CVD), and these women may present higher scores of somatic and urogenital-sexual symptoms.