Effects of near-infrared laser radiation on the survival and inflammatory potential of Candida spp. involved in the pathogenesis of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Abstract

Candida spp. usually colonize ulcerative lesions of atrophic mucosa in patients with chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis inducing severe inflammation. The spread of antifungal-resistant strains strongly encouraged the search of complementary or alternative therapeutic strategies to cure inflamed mucosa. In this paper, we studied the effects of a near-infrared (NIR) laser system with dual-wavelength emission (808 nm + 904 nm) on the survival and inflammatory potential of C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis. Laser treatment was performed with a Multiwave Locked System laser. Survival and apoptosis of fungal strains were evaluated by colony-forming units (CFU) counting and annexin V staining. Cytokine production was evaluated by ImmunoPlex array. Laser treatment significantly affected the survival of Candida spp. by inducing apoptosis and induced a lower production of inflammatory cytokines by dendritic cells compared to untreated fungi. No differences in the survival and inflammatory potential were recorded in treated or untreated Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, used as the control non-pathogenic microorganism. Laser treatment altered the survival and inflammatory potential of pathogenic Candida spp. These data provide experimental support to the use of NIR laser radiation as a co-adjuvant of antifungal therapy in patients with oral mucositis (OM) complicated by Candida infections.

A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial and Mechanistic Studies Using Improved Probiotics to Prevent Oral Mucositis Induced by Concurrent Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

“…The pathogenesis of oral inflammation induced by chemotherapy and irradiation is complex. It had been proposed that radiotherapy and chemotherapy cause DNA and non-DNA damage to the epithelium of cells, tissues, and blood vessels (37). It could also cause reactive oxygen species, followed by the activation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway, which could promote the production of pro-inflammation factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and accelerate apoptosis (Bax/Bcl-2), and ultimately aggravated tissue damage and lead to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections (38,39).…”

Reversal of Platinum-based Chemotherapy Resistance in Ovarian Cancer by Naringin Through Modulation of The Gut Microbiota in a Humanized Nude Mouse Model

“…According to the findings, the addition of microbiota notably decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in comparison to the MND group. Radiation and chemotherapy have been found to cause harm to blood vessels, epithelial cells, and tissues in numerous research studies 45 . Furthermore, they promote the production of reactive oxygen species, which then activate the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, boost the production of inflammatory substances (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), accelerate apoptosis (Bax/Bcl-2) and ultimately result in heightened tissue harm and susceptibility to bacterial, viral and fungal infections 46 , 47 .…”

Evaluation of the efficacy of the anti-ulcer oral mucosal protective agent RADoralex® in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced oral mucosal reactions induced during treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during radiotherapy activate nuclear transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), proinflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) and metabolic byproducts that promote apoptosis, aggravate tissue damage, cause bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, and aggravate radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in patients with NPC. 11 , 12 …”