Human skin contains photolabile nitric oxide (NO) derivatives which decompose after UVA irradiation and release vasoactive NO. However, aside from blue light, barely nothing has been reported about the effects of red and NIR wavelengths. We decided to investigate if photobiomodulation, using visible to NIR light, would increase the release of NO in the skin. A custom-built airtight sleeve which envelopes the forearm of a subject was used to measure the NO emanating from the skin under photobiomodulation conditions and quantified by chemiluminescence detection. Distinct differences in measured NO levels were observed between the non-irradiated condition and PBM conditions.
The effect of near infrared light (940 nm) on the conversion of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to PpIX, a compound involved in photodynamic therapy (PDT), was examined. The back skin of three test subjects was irradiated with continuous wavelength and pulsed infrared light at 940 nm. These irradiations took place 50-53, 24-29, and 8-14 hours prior to the application of the 5-ALA. After a three-hour incubation period with 5-ALA, a FluoDerm™device was used to measure the fluorescence of the skin (emitting wavelength: 400-420 nm; measuring excitation wavelength: 610-720 nm), a direct indication of the activity of 5-ALA. 5-ALA must penetrate the skin and then be converted to PpIX before any fluorescence increase can be observed. Results: For two patients (one was disqualified), the continuous wavelength, 50 hour pre-irradiation condition, the FluoDerm readings showed a 19 to 23% increase in fluorescence (p = 0.05) compared to the no-irradiation, 5-ALA only control.
LED photobiomodulation is known mostly for its restorative effects on skin and joints.
While providing LED photobiomodulation aesthetic treatments of the face, not only the skin condition
was improved, but a subjective well-being effect was observed, obvious both in photographs of the
treated areas and in patient behaviour. This has been supported by studies showing the beneficial
effects of transcranial lasers and LEDs on neurological and psychological conditions, providing great
insight. LED therapy can now be used as a standalone procedure to regulate neuronal function. To
measure such neurological outcomes in humans, we developed a visual analog scale questionnaire with
the purpose of having a convenient tool for the assessment of quality of life following facial LED
photobiomodulation.We also gauged patients' emotional state regarding overall aesthetic improvement.
Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) was formerly known as CREST syndrome in reference to the associated clinical features: calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasias. The transforming growth factor beta has been identified as a major player in the pathogenic process, where low-level light therapy (LLLT) has been shown to modulate this cytokine superfamily. This case study was conducted to assess the efficacy of 940 nm using millisecond pulsing and continuous wave (CW) modes on osteoarticular signs and symptoms associated with lcSSc. The patient was treated two to three times a week for 13 weeks using a sequential pulsing mode on one elbow and a CW mode on the other. Efficacy assessments included inflammation, symptoms, pain, health scales, patient satisfaction, clinical global impression, and adverse effects monitoring. Considerable functional and morphologic improvements were observed after LLLT, with the best results seen with the pulsing mode. No adverse effects were noted. Pulsed LLLT represents a treatment alternative for osteoarticular signs and symptoms in limited scleroderma (CREST syndrome).
Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) was formerly known as CREST syndrome in reference to the associated
clinical features: Calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, Esophageal dysfunction, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasias. The
transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) has been identified has a major player in the pathogenic process, while low
level light therapy (LLLT) has been shown to modulate this cytokine superfamily. This case study was conducted to
assess the efficacy of 940nm using microsecond domain pulsing and continuous wave mode (CW) on osteoarticular
signs and symptoms associated with lcSSc. The patient was treated two to three times a week for 13 weeks, using a
sequential pulsing mode on one elbow, and a CW mode on the other. Efficacy assessments included inflammation,
symptoms, pain, and health scales, patient satisfaction, clinical global impression, and adverse effects monitoring.
Significant functional and morphologic improvements were observed after LLLT, with best results seen with the pulsing
mode. No significant adverse effects were noted. Two mechanisms of action may be at play. The 940nm wavelength
provides inside-out heating possibly vasodilating capillaries which in turn increases catabolic processes leading to a
reduction of in situ calcinosis. LLLT may also improve symptoms by triggering a cascade of cellular reactions,
including the modulation of inflammatory mediators.
The influence of emission parameters in low-level-light therapy on cellular responses is not yet fully understood. This study assessed the impact of various light delivery modes on collagen production in human primary fibroblast cultured in monolayers after three treatments with red light-emitting diode illumination (630 nm, 8 J/cm2). Human type I collagen was measured in cell culture supernatants with procollagen type I C-peptide enzyme immunoassay. Results demonstrated that, 72 h post-baseline, specific microsecond pulsing patterns had a more favorable impact on the ability of fibroblasts to produce collagen de novo than comparative conditions of continuous wave, pulsed 50% duty cycle, and millisecond pulsing domains. The cascade of events leading to collagen production by red illumination may be explained by the photodissociation of nitric oxide from cytochrome c oxidase. Short and intermittent light delivery might enhance this cellular event.
The influence of emission parameters in Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on cellular responses is not yet fully
understood. This study assessed the impact of various light delivery modes on collagen production in human primary
fibroblast cultured in monolayers after three treatments with red light emitting diode illumination (630 nm, 8 J/cm2).
Human type I collagen was measured in cell culture supernatants with procollagen Type I C-Peptide enzyme
immunoassay. Results from this study demonstrated that specific μsec pulsing patterns had a more favorable impact on
the ability of fibroblasts to produce collagen de novo than comparator conditions of continuous wave, pulsed 50% duty
cycle, and millisecond pulsing domain (72 hours post baseline). The cascade of events leading to collagen production by
red illumination may be explained by the photodissociation of nitric oxide from cytochrome c oxidase. Short and
intermittent light delivery might enhance this cellular strategy.
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