Low-level laser therapy for bone repair in rats: systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is defined as a non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation and is considered a beneficial therapeutic alternative for promoting bone repair due to its low cost, non-invasiveness, and lack of thermal tissue damage. Consequently, LPL accelerates and enhances bone regeneration in rats by stimulating the proliferation of osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and blood vessels, which can be assessed through bone densitometry, tissue evaluation, and imaging studies. At the cellular level, LPL activates cytochromes, increases ATP levels, accelerates cellular activity, and modulates inflammation. The objective of this systematic literature review was to analyze the effectiveness of different experiments and protocols for bone regeneration in rats using LPL. Methodology: A search was conducted for original full-text articles published between 2004 and 2024, indexed in the electronic databases PubMed, Scielo, EMBASE, and LILACS via the BVS platform, during the period of 2023 and 2024. The keywords used were “Bone repair,” “Low level laser therapy,” and “Wistar rats.” The PRISMA protocol was followed for the development of this study. Results: Of the 242 works screened, 9 articles were selected for qualitative synthesis. Of these, 8 reported that LPL is effective in promoting bone repair. Conclusion: The reviewed scientific literature classifies LPL as an efficient therapeutic alternative for calvarial and long bone (tibia and femur) regeneration in rats, provided that LPL is used with appropriate parameters for wavelength, duration, and power.