USE OF LECTINS TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF GAAS SOFTLASER ON DOG TENDON

1. Lectins labeled with colloidal gold particles were used for the ult rastructural evaluation of the biological effects of GaAs softlaser ir radiation on the healing of dog tendon wounds. 2. Six dogs were submit ted to tenotomy and tenorrhaphy on the right and left hind legs. All a nimals received laser irradiation (4 J/cm(2)) daily for ten days only on the left leg, and the right leg of the same animal was used as cont rol. Biopsies were taken 11, 22 and 40 days after surgery. 3. Laser-ir radiated and control tendon tissues were embedded in L.R. White resin and thin sections were incubated in the presence of gold-labeled Arach is hypogaea (PNA), Canavalia ensiformes (Con A) and Triticum vulgare ( WGA). 4. In general, the control and laser-irradiated tissues presente d homogeneous and similar labelling of heterochromatin, rough endoplas mic reticulum and extracellular matrix. 5. We conclude that GaAs softl aser irradiation does not produce significant changes in the glycosyla tion of healing tendons.