Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation

Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The primary chromophores have been identified as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, and calcium ion channels (possibly mediat...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Michael R Hamblin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIMS Press 2017-05-01
Series:AIMS Biophysics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.aimspress.com/biophysics/article/1434/fulltext.html
_version_ 1818014194229837824
author Michael R Hamblin
author_facet Michael R Hamblin
author_sort Michael R Hamblin
collection DOAJ
description Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The primary chromophores have been identified as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, and calcium ion channels (possibly mediated by light absorption by opsins). Secondary effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, a brief burst of reactive oxygen species, an increase in nitric oxide, and modulation of calcium levels. Tertiary effects include activation of a wide range of transcription factors leading to improved cell survival, increased proliferation and migration, and new protein synthesis. There is a pronounced biphasic dose response whereby low levels of light have stimulating effects, while high levels of light have inhibitory effects. It has been found that PBM can produce ROS in normal cells, but when used in oxidatively stressed cells or in animal models of disease, ROS levels are lowered. PBM is able to up-regulate anti-oxidant defenses and reduce oxidative stress. It was shown that PBM can activate NF-kB in normal quiescent cells, however in activated inflammatory cells, inflammatory markers were decreased. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. PBM has been shown to reduce markers of M1 phenotype in activated macrophages. Many reports have shown reductions in reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins in various animal models. PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.
first_indexed 2024-04-14T06:43:03Z
format Article
id doaj.art-8b5e4e2a64114627b133a97e99697100
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2377-9098
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-14T06:43:03Z
publishDate 2017-05-01
publisher AIMS Press
record_format Article
series AIMS Biophysics
spelling doaj.art-8b5e4e2a64114627b133a97e996971002022-12-22T02:07:17ZengAIMS PressAIMS Biophysics2377-90982017-05-014333736110.3934/biophy.2017.3.337biophys-04-00337Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulationMichael R HamblinPhotobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The primary chromophores have been identified as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, and calcium ion channels (possibly mediated by light absorption by opsins). Secondary effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, a brief burst of reactive oxygen species, an increase in nitric oxide, and modulation of calcium levels. Tertiary effects include activation of a wide range of transcription factors leading to improved cell survival, increased proliferation and migration, and new protein synthesis. There is a pronounced biphasic dose response whereby low levels of light have stimulating effects, while high levels of light have inhibitory effects. It has been found that PBM can produce ROS in normal cells, but when used in oxidatively stressed cells or in animal models of disease, ROS levels are lowered. PBM is able to up-regulate anti-oxidant defenses and reduce oxidative stress. It was shown that PBM can activate NF-kB in normal quiescent cells, however in activated inflammatory cells, inflammatory markers were decreased. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. PBM has been shown to reduce markers of M1 phenotype in activated macrophages. Many reports have shown reductions in reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins in various animal models. PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.http://www.aimspress.com/biophysics/article/1434/fulltext.htmlphotobiomodulationlow-level laser therapychromophoresinflammationanimal studiesclinical trials
spellingShingle Michael R Hamblin
Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
AIMS Biophysics
photobiomodulation
low-level laser therapy
chromophores
inflammation
animal studies
clinical trials
title Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
title_full Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
title_fullStr Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
title_full_unstemmed Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
title_short Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
title_sort mechanisms and applications of the anti inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
topic photobiomodulation
low-level laser therapy
chromophores
inflammation
animal studies
clinical trials
url http://www.aimspress.com/biophysics/article/1434/fulltext.html
work_keys_str_mv AT michaelrhamblin mechanismsandapplicationsoftheantiinflammatoryeffectsofphotobiomodulation