Abstract
This first in a series of studies investigates histochemical arnd biochemical changes in rat saphenous nerve Na-K-ATPase activity following irradiation by the 830 nm, 60 mW continuous wave beam of the gallium aluminium arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser, Six seconds of GaAlAs radiation noticeably increased demonstrable Na-K-ATPase activity. 15 s irradiation elicited the peak of activity, 30 s irradiation showed a decrease in the raised activity, and an irradiation time dependent inhibition of activity was noted after laser irradiation of 60 s and 120 s. Biochemical results, obtained by measuring the Na-K-ATPase activity through measurement of the release of inorganic phosphate, closely paralleled those results revealed by histochemical analysis. It is suggested that changes of Na-K-ATPnse activity in LLLT-treated peripheral neural tissue ate associated with the pain attenuation process.
