A review of the literature was performed to demonstrate the most current applicability of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries, addressing different lasers, irradiation parameters, and treatment results in animal models. Searches were performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and SPIE Digital Library databases for studies published from January 2006 to August 2013 on the use of LLLT for the repair of skeletal muscle in any animal model. All selected articles were critically appraised by two independent raters. Seventeen of the 36 original articles on LLLT and muscle injuries met the inclusion criteria and were critically evaluated. The main effects of LLLT were a reduction in the inflammatory process, the modulation of growth factors and myogenic regulatory factors, and increased angiogenesis. The studies analyzed demonstrate the positive effects of LLLT on the muscle repair process, which are dependent on irradiation and treatment parameters. The findings suggest that LLLT is an excellent therapeutic resource for the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries in the short-term.

Considering the improvement of biomaterials that facilitate atraumatic restorative techniques in dentistry, a papain-based gel can be used in the chemomechanical removal of decayed dental tissue. However, there is no information regarding the influence of this gel on the structure of sound collagen. The aim of the present study was to investigate the adsorption of a papain-based gel (Papacarie^TM) to collagen and determine collagen integrity after treatment. A pilot study was first performed with 10 samples of type I collagen membrane obtained from bovine Achilles deep tendon to compare the influence of hydration (Milli-Q water) on infrared bands of collagen. In a further experiment, 10 samples of type I collagen membrane were used to evaluate the effects of Papacarie^TM on the collagen microstructure. All analyses were performed using the attenuated total reflectance technique of Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). The results demonstrated that the application of Papacarie^TM does not lead to the degradation of collagen and this product can be safely used in minimally invasive dentistry. As the integrity of sound collagen is preserved after the application of the papain-based gel, this product is indicated for the selective removal of infected dentin, leaving the affected dentin intact and capable of re-mineralization.