Effect of Photobiomodulation in Suppression of Oxidative Stress on Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Abstract

As the world undergoes aging, the number of age-related diseases has increased. One of them is disease related to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration, causing vision loss without physical damage in the ocular system. It is the leading cause of blindness, with no cure. Although the exact pathogenesis is still unknown, the research shows that oxidative stress is one of the risk factors. Various molecules have been reported as anti-oxidative materials; however, the disease has not yet been conquered. Here, we would like to introduce photobiomodulation (PBM). PBM is a non-invasive treatment based on red and near-infrared light and has been used to cure various diseases by regulating cellular functions. Furthermore, recent studies showed its antioxidant effect, and due to this reason, PBM is arising as a new treatment for ocular disease. In this study, we confirm the antioxidant effect of PBM in retinal pigment epithelium via an RPE model with hypoxia. The function of RPE is protected by PBM against damage from hypoxia. Furthermore, we observed the protective mechanism of PBM by its suppression effect on reactive oxygen species generation. These results indicate that PBM shows great potential to cure RPE degeneration to help patients with blindness.

Multi-Wavelength Photobiomodulation Ameliorates Sodium Iodate-Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Rats

“…To explore the effects of multiwavelength PBM on the retina, we established an in vivo model of AMD induced by NaIO 3 . It is known that PBM of various wavelengths reduces ROS levels and thus cellular oxidative stress [24,46]. In our in vitro experiment, although we observed that multi-wavelength PBM tends to decrease ROS changes in RPE cells after oxidative stress-induced by hydrogen peroxide, we did not obtain significant results (Figure S2).…”

Activation of testosterone‐androgen receptor mediates cerebrovascular protection by photobiomodulation treatment in photothrombosis‐induced stroke rats

“…In agreement with this, our results showed that the ZO‐1 and Claudin 5 were decreased both in vitro and in vivo stroke models, and that PBMT could reverse these changes. Other studies also reported that PBMT increases the TJ proteins in retinal pigment epithelium cell 46 . The mechanism of PBMT predominantly involves the stimulation of Cytochrome C oxidase within the mitochondrial respiratory chain.…”

“…Other studies also reported that PBMT increases the TJ proteins in retinal pigment epithelium cell. 46 The mechanism of PBMT triggers the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP-responsive element-binding signaling pathway. 47 In diabetic fibroblast cells, PBMT activates the PI3K/AKT pathway, 48 and it has been observed to promote neural stem cells via the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway.…”

“…Other studies also reported that PBMT increases the TJ proteins in retinal pigment epithelium cell. 46 The mechanism of PBMT predominantly involves the stimulation of Cytochrome C oxidase within the mitochondrial respiratory chain. While ongoing research is delving into the molecular mechanisms, it was noted that PBMT activates multiple signaling pathways.…”

Considerations for the Use of Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Retinal Diseases

“…Furthermore, the increased ROS may function as a second messenger to regulate various signaling pathways affecting gene expression [ 42 ]. However, Kim et al found that PBM pretreatment inhibited ROS production in a hypoxia model of retinal pigmental cells (RPE) [ 43 ]. Huang et al also demonstrated that low-level laser treatment (LLLT) increased ROS in normal neurons but decreased ROS in oxidatively stressed neurons, suggesting that this might be related to the fact that low-level laser can increase mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).…”