Evaluation of low-level laser therapy on skeletal muscle ischemia–reperfusion in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by assaying biochemical markers and histological changes

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on skeletal muscle ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injuries in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into two experimental groups, as follows: the diabetic IR group (G1, n = 10) and the diabetic IR + LLLT group (G2, n = 10). Ischemia was induced in anesthetized rats from the right femoral artery clipping for 2 h, followed by a reperfusion for 24 h. Then, the laser irradiation (K30 handheld probe, AZOR, Technica, Russia, 650 nm, 30 mW, surface area = 1 cm 2 , energy density = 1.8 J/cm 2 ) was carried out by irradiating the rats over a unique point on the skin over the middle region of the right gastrocnemius muscle belly three times (every 8 h), starting after initiating the reperfusion for 3 min. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected and used for the estimation of pO 2 , pCO 2 , pH, HCO 3 , serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Subsequently, the right gastrocnemius muscle samples were taken for wet/dry weight ratio assessment and histological/biochemical examination. The pO 2 , pCO 2 , HCO 3 , and pH levels were similar for both groups ( P > 0.05). The serum LDH and CPK levels were significantly lower ( P