The in vitro application of high-intensity laser therapy on equine platelet-rich plasma and autologous protein solution does not alter select cytokine and growth factor concentrations.

HILT does not significantly alter cytokine or growth factor concentrations in equine PRP or APS in vitro.

This in vitro study investigated whether high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) applied directly to equine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous protein solution (APS) alters the concentration of key immunomodulatory cytokines and growth factors. Whole blood was collected from six adult horses and processed into PRP or APS using commercially available Zoetis systems. Samples were divided into HILT-treated and untreated control groups, with HILT delivered via a Class IV laser (1064 nm, 20 W mean power, 1,300 mJ pulse energy, 65 ms pulse duration, 10 Hz frequency) for 10 seconds. Cytokine and growth factor concentrations, including TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB, were quantified using multiplex bead-based immunoassays and ELISA following a single freeze-thaw cycle. Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, HILT exposure did not significantly alter the concentration of any measured cytokines or growth factors in either PRP or APS. These findings suggest that combining HILT with blood-based orthobiologics in clinical practice is unlikely to enhance or diminish the bioactive content of these products through direct photobiomodulatory effects on the solutions themselves. This is clinically relevant as both HILT and orthobiologics such as PRP are increasingly used in combination for equine musculoskeletal injuries. The study provides foundational safety data supporting the rational integration of these two modalities, though in vivo studies are needed to fully characterize combined therapeutic effects.

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