Effect of red light and near infrared laser on the generation of reactive oxygen species in primary dermal fibroblasts

Abstract

Irradiation with red light or near-infrared (NIR) lasers can bio-modulate cellular processes or revitalize injured tissues and therefore, widely been used for therapeutic interventions. Mechanistically, this cellular or biological process, referred as Photobiomodulation (PBM), is achieved by the generation of oxide free radicals in cells and tissues. This explorative study using red light (636 nm) and Near Infra-Red (NIR, 825 nm) laser at various irradiation exposures reckons the level of oxidative stress induced by these free radicals in human primary fibroblasts. Freshly isolated dermal fibroblasts were irradiated with red light and NIR at power densities of 74 and 104 mV/cm, respectively and, at varying fluences ranging from 5 to 25 J/cm. Cellular oxidative stress, measured by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) upon quantifying fluorescently labelled oxide free radicals in cells, detected considerable variations between the irradiation exposures of red light and NIR laser. The NIR laser demonstrated high levels of ROS at all fluences, except 10 J/cm indicating its ability in generating of two types of oxide radicals in dermal fibroblasts, often illustrated as biphasic response. Further, the responses of these cells to variable fluences of red light and NIR laser were measured to evaluate the immediate effect of PBM on cellular activity. The production of cellular energy coincides with the amount of oxidative stress, which was two-fold higher in cells irradiated with the NIR laser, as compared with the red light. This outcome indicates that the ROS production within biological systems are more dependent on the wavelength of the laser rather than its fluences. Further studies are required to avoid 'overdosing of PBM' and to analyse ROS qualitatively for making the best use of the red light and NIR laser in clinics.

Photobiomodulation (660 nm) therapy reduces oxidative stress and induces BDNF expression in the hippocampus

“…Light absorbed by cells increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ATP synthesis in tissues 22 . ROS are associated with gene expression 27 . In addition, cells exposed to red and near-infrared light produce nitrogen oxide (NO).…”

Beyond 2D: effects of photobiomodulation in 3D tissue-like systems

“…87 Thus, ROS amount produced in the cells was different for red and near-IR light with equal fluencies. 36 Near-IR light activating cell cycle represented higher rates of ROS, which could explain more pronounced proliferation after exposure to 840 nm irradiation in the current work.…”

“…84 Alternative PBM mechanism involves production of a small amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS). 36 ROS can act as mediators in several cellular pathways including kinase pathways activating cell division. 85,86 Both of these mechanisms were shown for red and near-IR light.…”

“…33 And while the mechanisms of the effect of red and IR irradiation on the cell are mostly similar, 34 IR irradiation is considered more promising for 3D structures due to its ability to penetrate deep into tissues. 35,36 Overall, light in the red and near-IR ranges with fluences around 3 J∕cm 2 was found to be the most beneficial for 3D systems. 33,[37][38][39] The main advantages of PBM are ease of use and noninvasiveness.…”

Antioxidants from Nigerian Medicinal Plants: What Are the Evidence?

“…), as by-products during the mitochondrial electron transport of aerobic respiration or by oxidoreductase enzymes and metal catalyzed oxidation [9]. But the biological effects of ROS depend on the types of cell or tissue in relation to enzyme production, signal transduction and DNA repair [10]. ROS are harmful when excessive productions are not balanced by body antioxidant mechanism.…”