Autores: Natalia Schepanski, Floriatan Santos Costa, Edina Fernanda Martins Machado, Milena Nunes Machado, Clarice D. B. Amaral, Raquel C. Machado, Ana Rita A. Nogueira, João Armando Brancher, Laurindo Moacir Sassi e Melissa Rodrigues de Araujo

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2023.11.007

Abstract

Objective: assess the impact of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on xerostomia, salivary flow rate (SFR) and composition in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). Study Design: Thirty patients undergoing RT (65Gy) for HNC were enrolled. Saliva and xerostomia evaluations collected pre- and post-PBMT-RT. PBMT involved irradiation of extra and intra-oral points, 15-20 sessions, 2-3 times/week. SFR, trace elements, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, xerostomia and pH were analyzed. Results: The average age was 60.7 years. After treatment there was not a significant reduction in SFR and there was no difference on xerostomia. Significant reductions in Al, Cd, Fe, Ni, P, and Sb concentrations were observed, along with a significant increase in Mg concentration. Sample data were organized into three groups based on a self-organizing map (SOM). Low concentrations of Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, S, Sr, and Zn were the primary discriminatory factors for group A, while group B consisted of post-PBMT-RT samples with high concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na, and S. Conclusions: PBMT prevented a significant reduction in SFR and xerostomia induced by radiation therapy. These findings suggest that PBMT prevents salivary gland damage minimizing the decline in salivary flow.