OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on the expression of IL-10 and nitrites in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), as these biomarkers play a fundamental role in the physiopathology of the disease. The modulation of IL-10 and nitrites through treatment with PBM may be a novel treatment modality for MS. METHODS: A randomized, uncontrolled, clinical trial was conducted involving 14 individuals with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS and a score of up to 6.0 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). THE PARTICIPANTS WERE RANDOMIZED TO TWO GROUPS: Group 1 -- PBM in the sublingual region; group 2 -- PBM over the radial artery. Irradiation was administered with a wavelength of 808 nm and output power of 100 mW for 360 seconds twice a week, totaling 24 sessions. Peripheral blood was analyzed for the determination of serum levels of IL-10 and nitrites. RESULTS: After treatment with PBM, the expression of IL-10 increased in both the sublingual group (pre-treatment 2.8 +/- 1.4 pg/ml; post-treatment 8.3 +/- 2.4 pg/ml) and the radial artery group (pre-treatment 2.7 pg/ml +/- 1.4; post-treatment 11.7 +/- 3.8 pg/ml). In contrast, nitrite levels were not modulated in the sublingual group (pre-treatment 65 +/- 50 nmol/mg protein; post-treatment 51 +/- 42 nmol/mg protein) or the radial artery group (pre-treatment 51 +/- 16 nmol/mg protein; post-treatment 42 +/- 7 nmol/mg protein). CONCLUSION: Treatment with PBM positively modulated the expression of IL-10 but had no effect on nitrite levels. Further studies should be conducted with a larger sample and a control group, as PBM may be a promising complementary treatment for the management of MS. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier NCT03360487.

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