Med Lasers.  2021 Mar;10(1):37-44. 10.25289/ML.2021.10.1.37.

Effect of Low-level Laser Therapy on Propylthiouracil-induced Hypothyroidism Model Mice: A Pilot Study

• Mun IK
• Yoo WS
• Lee SJ
• Chung PS
• Woo SH

• KMID: 2533495
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25289/ML.2021.10.1.37

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disease. On the other hand, there is no treatment that can improve the thyroid function. Lowlevel laser therapy (LLLT) can improve the cellular activity. The effect of hypothyroidism is not obvious. This study examined the effects of LLLT on the thyroid gland function of a propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypo thyroidism mouse model.
Materials and Methods
Twenty-five male ICR mice were distributed into five groups of five animals each: Negative control (none PTU animal) and positive control (PTU animal) of unirradiated animals, and three experimental groups with LLLT (3J, 6J, and 12J). Each mouse was exposed to a distinct dose of a 632-nm laser once a week for three rounds. The positive control group and three LLLT groups were induced into a hypothyroidism state by PTU administration. The animals’ thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine levels were measured using an ELISA kit, and their thyroid tissue was harvested and analyzed after sacrifice at the end of the experiment. The hormone level and morphological changes in the tissue of the five groups were compared.
Results
The thyroid hormone levels in the control group and LLLT groups were similar. On the other hand, the thyroid tissue of the LLLT groups showed some morphological changes that were similar to those of iodine deficiency thyroid.
Conclusion
LLLT did not affect the thyroid gland function in PTU-induced hypo thyroidism mice.

Keyword

Hypothyroidism; Propylthiouracil; Low-level laser therapy; Mice