Effect of low-level laser therapy for the recovery of ligament injuries in fibroblasts isolated from human ligation in a young and elderly population: an in vitro study.

Introduction: Ligament injury triggers the action of fibroblasts, cells that will proliferate and migrate to the area of ​​injury to initiate the production of the new extracellular matrix such as collagen, a process that is altered during aging. It has been shown that the application of physical agents such as low-level lasers can stimulate the repair function of cells. However, there is little research on human intra-articular ligament fibroblasts that determine the effect of laser therapy in relation to the healing process of the ligament at different stages of the life cycle.
Objective: To evaluate the biological effect regarding the expression of collagen type I,
Methodology: By means of a monolayer culture system in vitro, the effect of two doses of low-level laser therapy on the biological response of ligament fibroblasts will be evaluated: 1) viability 2) cell proliferation and 3) expression of type I collagen , using a colorimetric technique and another immunoassay (ELISA).
Expected Results: Description and comparison of viability, cell proliferation, and type I collagen production of ligament fibroblasts irradiated with two doses of low-level laser therapy derived from young and older adults. This exploratory study will allow formulating future research on low-level laser therapeutic interventions in human ligament repair.

Ligament injury triggers the action of specialized cells (fibroblasts) which will divide and travel to the area of ​​injury to initiate the formation of new tissue, producing resistant proteins such as collagen. This process is altered during aging. Laser therapy used in physical therapy has been shown to improve the function of these specialized cells. However, there is little research in this regard. Therefore, this work evaluates the effect of laser therapy on the function of these specialized cells (fibroblasts) in relation to the stages of ligament repair. This exploratory study will allow formulating future research on low-level laser therapeutic interventions in human ligament repair.