Photodynamic therapy for treatment of burns: A system review and meta-analysis of animal study

Background and aim: Burns are common in both everyday life and war. Shock, infection, and organ dysfunction are major complications, among which infection is the most common and has the highest mortality rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy(PDT) on animals suffering from burns. Methods: Through searching Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, only controlled trials were collected to study the effects of PDT on animals with burns. The included studies were evaluated for methodological quality by the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) assessment tool, and the data analysis software was used to analyze the data accordingly. Results: 16 articles were collected between the earliest available date and August 2022. The results of the meta-analysis showed that PDT effectively reduces TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in wounds, and increases bFGF and VEGF levels, PDT can also reduce bacterial colonization at the injury site, accelerate the healing of burn wounds, and improve the survival rate. Conclusion: PDT has been shown to have positive effects as a treatment for animals suffering from burns. It affects the levels of cytokines, reduces bacterial counts in wounds, promotes wound healing, and improves animal survival rates.