Evaluation of intracellular materials by biophotons released from cultured cells irradiated with atmospheric-pressure plasma

Abstract

Biophotons (i.e., photons emitted from living organisms) cause ultra-weak luminescence, induced by reactive oxygen species generated by redox reactions during intracellular respiration. Similarly, regarding the bio-application of atmospheric-pressure plasma in plasma medicine, the oxidative stress reaction by reactive species is involved in the proliferation and cell death of living tissues. We performed non-contact and non-invasive measurements of biophotons released from cultured cells immediately after plasma irradiation. Due to oxidative stress caused by reactive species generated by plasma irradiation, the release of biophotons from the cells and the production of nitric oxide were confirmed.