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Cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters: evaluation of two low-intensity laser protocols

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Abstract

Goal of work

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms whereby low-intensity laser therapy may affect the severity of oral mucositis.

Materials and methods

A hamster cheek pouch model of oral mucositis was used with all animals receiving intraperitoneal 5-fluorouracil followed by surface irritation. Animals were randomly allocated into three groups and treated with a 35 mW laser, 100 mW laser, or no laser. Clinical severity of mucositis was assessed at four time-points by a blinded examiner. Buccal pouch tissue was harvested from a subgroup of animals in each group at four time-points. This tissue was used for immunohistochemistry for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and factor VIII (marker of microvessel density) and the resulting staining was quantified.

Main results

Peak severity of mucositis was reduced in the 35 mW laser group as compared to the 100 mW laser and control groups. This reduced peak clinical severity of mucositis in the 35 mW laser group was accompanied by a significantly lower level of COX-2 staining. The 100 mW laser did not have an effect on the severity of clinical mucositis, but was associated with a decrease in VEGF levels at the later time-points, as compared to the other groups. There was no clear relationship of VEGF levels or microvessel density to clinical mucositis severity.

Conclusion

The tissue response to laser therapy appears to vary by dose. Low-intensity laser therapy appears to reduce the severity of mucositis, at least in part, by reducing COX-2 levels and associated inhibition of the inflammatory response.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa de São Paulo (FAPESP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP 04023-062

    Nilza Nelly Fontana Lopes & Hélio Plapler

  2. Department of Medical Laser Center, INCOR–HC/Medical School of University of São Paulo, Av Dr Eneas Carvalho de Aguiar 44, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP 05403-000

    Maria Cristina Chavantes

  3. Section of Oral Medicine, Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences MC1605, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030-1605, USA

    Rajesh V. Lalla

  4. Department of Nuclear Physics, Institute of Physics–University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 66318, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP 05315-970

    Elisabeth Mateus Yoshimura

  5. Department of Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP 04023-062

    Maria Teresa Seixas Alves

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  1. Nilza Nelly Fontana Lopes
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  2. Hélio Plapler
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Correspondence to Nilza Nelly Fontana Lopes.

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Lopes, N.N.F., Plapler, H., Chavantes, M.C. et al. Cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters: evaluation of two low-intensity laser protocols. Support Care Cancer 17, 1409–1415 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0603-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0603-9

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