Photodynamic Therapy with Phthalomethyl D: Perspectives against SARS-CoV-2

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the generation of cytotoxic agents through the dynamic interaction between a photosensitizer excited by light at a specific wavelength. When associated with phthalocyanines, they are efficient in incorporating target cells and exhibiting high rates of triplet generation. This study aimed to characterize PDT associated with the phototherapeutic agent Phthalomethyl D, developed by the authors, in the process of repair, healing and immune improvement for possible application against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Sixty-nine mice were used, divided into 2 groups: GI, treated with ILIB laser, without a phototherapeutic agent, and subjected to surgery for viral induction;GII, same as GI plus association of Phthalomethyl D. They were divided into subgroups and reevaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days, and then divided into 3 subgroups of 6 animals each, subjected to treatment at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 5 and 7 days. Results: Both groups had a high rate of partial incision closure and acute inflammatory control. Microscopically, there was a greater amount of amorphous fundamental substance, fibrocytes, fibroblasts, and giant cells and reduction in the number of keratinocytes, in the amount of keratin, and epidermal thickness in GII than in GI. Conclusions: PDT with Phthalomethyl D stimulates the processes of healing/repair and immunomodulation during viral infection, initially favoring the inflammatory response and, after 21 days, contributing to the anti-inflammatory response profile, making this approach possible in the treatment of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Use of the Scar Acceleration Method - Mac^®in the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Proposal for Treatment in Public Health in Sus, Brazil

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an infection of the genital mucosa, which involves the vulva and vagina caused by yeast. It is considered a recurrent pathology and a public health problem that causes discomfort by the triggers and that, when left untreated, can lead to health problems. The present study is a report of two cases treated with the MAC® - Scar Acceleration Method - (MAC®) methodology at the Physiotherapy School Clinic of Teaching Center of Campos Gerais (CESCAGE) as a pilot for the proposal to implement the protocol at the Municipal Center for Women’s Health—CMM in the municipality of Ponta Grossa—PR, Brazil. The patients were referred by Basic Health Units in the city with complaints of pruritus, vaginal discharge and local burning with the diagnosis of candidiasis evidenced by culture and antibiogram. Patients were treated with photodynamic therapy using the MAC® method for 14 consecutive days with 660 nm red laser phototherapy, 100 mW of power, 9 joules of energy, photosensitizing the drug Turmeric Long in one of the participants and propolis in the other, using 1% methylene blue dye. Both patients and researchers did not have access to which drug was being used for each participant. Photodynamic therapy potentiated the effects of drugs considering that patients showed gradual improvement with the applied application, which was proven in the analysis of sample secretions performed before and after treatment. The MAC® method had a positive effect in the protocol used and is strengthened as a possibility for treatments aimed at women’s health with regard to vulvovaginal diseases. It is suggested and intended to carry out further research with a greater number of patients using the referred method.

Effects of Light Emitting Diode in Erythrocytes

The Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a phototherapy equipment, poorly studied, which is able of acting on blood level and it has frequently appeared in clinical practice of physiotherapy to aid on skin rejuvenation, control inflammation and wound healing. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of LED on red blood cells through the spectrophotometer. This is an experimental study with a sample of 5 male Wistar rats weighting between 200 g and 350 g, randomly selected, anesthetized and 4 ml of blood was collected by cardiac puncture. The blood collected was divided into four groups, one control and three treated, these individually irradiated by blue LED (420 - 490 nm), green LED (515 - 570 nm) and red LED (620 - 680 nm) at an output of 3 watts, for 10 minutes and 5 cm apart from the surface of the blood, then it was analyzed by a spectrophotometer at 540 nm. The results were submitted to Anova and Post-roch Turkey (p < 0.05). All wavelengths tested produced hemolysis greater than the control in hypotonic solutions of NaCl (range 0.02 to 0.06 M) (p < 0.01). Only the band between 515 - 570 nm provides a higher hemolysis (range 0.06 to 0.1) when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The irradiation of blood through the LED therapy was able to weaken the cell membrane of the red blood cells. It is likely that hemolysis does not bring harm the body, because as it is a local therapy, the amount of hemolysis that can be caused is small and it will induce the reproduction of new red blood cells, thus improving their physiological functions.