Influences of Pinpoint Plantar Long-Wavelength Infrared Light Irradiation (Stress-Free Therapy) on Chorioretinal Hemodynamics, Atherosclerosis Factors, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Abstract

BackgroundWe previously reported that pinpoint plantar long-wavelength infrared light irradiation (stress-free therapy; SFT) is useful for alleviating insulin resistance and improving intracranial blood flow in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influences of SFT on chorioretinal hemodynamics (retinal artery and vein blood flows) as well as atherosclerosis-related factors (TG, LDL-C) and VEGF in patients with dyslipidemia.MethodsFour patients with dyslipidemia received 15-minute irradiation with a stress-free apparatus (far-infrared wavelength, 30 mW). Using laser speckle flowgraphy, associations of chorioretinal blood flow with peripheral atherosclerosis-inducing factors/VEGF levels before and after irradiation were analyzed.ResultsChorioretinal blood flow increased, while TG/LDL-C levels decreased, after irradiation. VEGF tended to rise in cases with pre-irradiation baseline levels at the lower limit but tended to decrease in cases in which baseline levels had exceeded the normal range.ConclusionSFT was suggested to enhance chorioretinal circulation and to normalize VEGF, thereby possibly contributing to amelioration of atherosclerosis-inducing factors. Abnormalities in chorioretinal hemodynamics are known to be highly involved in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, and anti-VEGF antibody has been used for treating these conditions. The necessity of risk management, involving chorioretinal blood flow, has been pointed out when dealing with central retinal vein occlusion, diabetes mellitus, ischemic cerebral/cardiac disease, dementia and so on. SFT is therefore a potential complementary medical strategy which can be expected to contribute to normalization of chorioretinal blood flow and atherosclerosis-inducing factors/VEGF levels, and thereby to the prevention of lifestyle-related chronic diseases.

The more critical murderer of atherosclerosis than lipid metabolism: chronic stress

“…The relationship between chronic stress and intimal (and media) thickness was not clear in previous scholarship [ 14 , 15 ]. ZM Yu and her colleagues [ 11 ] found that chronic stress may promote the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells and lead to thinner media thickness in the blood vessels.…”

Influence of Far Infrared TiO2 and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Coatings on the Performance of a Hot Water Heater

“…Among them, the wavelength range of far-infrared rays (FIRs) as defined in the medical field is 5.6-1000 µm [1]. As the energy of far-infrared rays can promote blood circulation [2][3][4], cell repair [5], tissue regeneration [3,6], intestinal function [7], diminish inflammation [8], and inhibit cancer [9], it is often used in medical, health, and beauty fields [10]. However, the action mechanisms of FIR on humans are still little known [10].…”