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Andrea Amaroli
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Amaroli, A. Improving Consistency of Photobiomodulation Therapy. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/12839 (accessed on 18 April 2024).
Amaroli A. Improving Consistency of Photobiomodulation Therapy. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/12839. Accessed April 18, 2024.
Amaroli, Andrea. "Improving Consistency of Photobiomodulation Therapy" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/12839 (accessed April 18, 2024).
Amaroli, A. (2021, August 05). Improving Consistency of Photobiomodulation Therapy. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/12839
Amaroli, Andrea. "Improving Consistency of Photobiomodulation Therapy." Encyclopedia. Web. 05 August, 2021.
Improving Consistency of Photobiomodulation Therapy
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This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/ijms22157788

One of the molecular mechanisms for this treatment implicates the mitochondrial enzyme, cytochrome C oxidase. However, the efficacy and consistency of clinical outcomes with photobiomodulation treatments has been fiercely debated. This work was motivated by this need to improve photobiomodulation devices and delivery approaches.

phototherapy light therapy low-level laser therapy ATP mitochondria respiratory chain light-emitting diode near-infrared light energetic metabolism

1. Introduction

The ability of visible and near-infrared light (NIR) to influence body healing has been described by several ancient civilizations [1]. The first scientific description by Prof. Endre Mester about fifty years ago outlined the effects of low dose laser interaction with tissues describing the non-thermal therapeutic benefits of biophotonics energy [2][3][4]. Since then, growing evidence has demonstrated that visible and near-infrared light can modulate metabolism in various life forms, from bacteria and protozoa to animals and humans [5]. While all life forms need energy for survival, unlike plant-cell, the animal cell does not appear to directly employ light as a metabolic source of energy [6].
A major site for light interaction has been noted to involve the mitochondria [7]. These interactions can result via direct interaction of cytochromes belonging to the respiratory chain. Alternatively, they can indirectly impact biophysical properties of water, lipids and voltage-gated ion channels as well as changes in calcium homeostasis and membrane fluidity [7][8][9]. In other words, the photon can transfer its energy to the photoacceptor in the mitochondria that leads to an electronically excited state and production of energy substrates such as ATP [10][11]. Thus, this ability to modulate the cellular metabolism and functions via non-ionizing and non-thermal light treatments is termed photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy; popularly termed low-level light/laser therapy or cold laser treatments.
There has been significant recent progress in our understanding of PBM mechanisms, extending beyond the initial effects on the mitochondria to cell membrane receptors and ion transporters as well as an extracellular growth factor, TGF-β1 [12]. However, the standardization and the repeatability of the photobiomodulation process is currently under debate [1][8][9][10][12][13][14]. Two major parameters that can influence this have been identified. First, the variation in tissue optical properties such as scattering due to their microstructure, wavelength-dependent absorption of photon-energy, skin colour and thickness affects the transmittance and reflectance of laser light [15][16][17]. These parameters are not assessed directly in vitro lab studies. Therefore, a coherent translation of the results from in vitro to clinical patients is limited. Second, the photobiomodulation parameters do not directly correlate with precise light and cellular photoacceptor interaction. These can drastically vary with even small changes in the photon-energy delivered [10].
Hanna et al., [18] recently demonstrated that by moving the hand-piece from contact to many centimetres away from the target, the treatment power varies with the use of a standard gaussian hand-piece with respect to a flat-top beam delivery system. The same authors also reported improved cell growth and differentiation with treatments using the flat-top hand-piece than the standard probe. They attributed this response to the more homogenous power distribution within the treatment area through the flat-top probe. However, this has not yet been experimentally demonstrated. This study was designed to address this issue. We examined the beam profiles of a novel hand-piece with a flat-top beam profile compared to a standard hand-piece and fibre probe. Next, we investigated the effects of the three probes on isolated mitochondria by assessing ATP generation in various areas of the laser beam, namely in the centre and at the edges on either side. Finally, we also examined the effects of various treatment doses with the three probes on potential mitochondrial damage.

2. Characterization of the Probes Beam Profile and Irradiation

Power density is differentially distributed when 1 W of power (1 W/cm2 power density) is irradiated through a fibre (A), a standard hand-piece (B) and the flat-top hand-piece (C) within the 1 cm2 treatment spot area (Figure 3). As indicated in the material and methods section and on the figure, different colours indicate differences in power density distribution. The green colour (1 W/cm2) is distributed on only the 27–30% and 39–41% of the irradiated area when a fibre or a standard hand-piece was employed (Figure 3 and Figure 4). The remaining areas demonstrated power density in the range of 0.6–0.1 W/cm2. Conversely, a wider area of ~90% of green colour was described during irradiation through the flat-top hand-piece. Additionally, in the centre of both the spot sizes generated through fibre and standard hand-piece irradiations, higher energy distribution was pointed out by red, orange and yellow colours. Therefore, a distribution of the power density such as a wide-Gaussian beam profile can be considered for fibre and standard hand-piece, compared with a more uniform profile observed with the flat-top prototype.
Ijms 22 07788 g003 550
Figure 3. Characterization of the fibre (A), standard hand-piece (B) and the novel flat-top hand-piece prototype; (C) beam profile through a camera Spiricon SP928 equipped with the software BeamGage Professional. Setting the instrument for an irradiation with 1 W the main colours displayed are: purple = 0.1 W/cm2; fuchsia = 0.3 W/cm2; blue = 0.6 W/cm2; light blue = 0.9 W/cm2; green = 1 W/cm2; yellow = 1.6 W/cm2; orange = 2.0 W/cm2; red = 2.2 W/cm2.
Ijms 22 07788 g004 550
Figure 4. Schematic representation of the laser beam profile (A–C) and the drop’s area irradiated by the power density of 1 W/cm2, green colour, (A’–C’) Image created with BioRender.com.
According to Hanna et al. [18] and also in our experimental set-up, the irradiation with the flat-top hand-piece keeps power constant in contact mode and at 2 cm from the target (1.03 ± 0.02 W vs. 1.01 ± 0.03 W; p > 0.05). Irradiation with fibre or the standard hand-piece experienced a statistically significant decrease of 0.23 and 0.22 W, p < 0.05. A statistically significant increment of the drop temperature was observed after irradiation (~2.1 °C), but the thermal increase was similar with the three probes (p > 0.05).

3. Evaluation of Mitochondrial ATP Synthesis

ATP synthesis in isolated mitochondria was assessed following PBM treatments with various probes. The mitochondria in the centre of the laser beam with all three probes demonstrated increased ATP production compared to the non-treated control (p < 0.05) (Figure 5). However, PBM treatments performed with fibre or standard hand-piece on the mitochondria placed at the edges of the beam had a significantly less increase in ATP synthesis compared to the centre of the beam (p < 0.05). This difference was more evident in the fibre group compared to the standard hand-piece (p < 0.05). In contrast, the flat-top hand-piece group demonstrated increased ATP synthesis in both the centre and edges uniformly throughout the beam area.
Ijms 22 07788 g005 550
Figure 5. Effect of the photobiomodulation on mitochondrial ATP synthase activity. The isolated mitochondria were placed at the centre or edges of the laser treatment spot (1 cm2) and the treatments were performed using a fibre, flat-top hand-piece or a standard hand-piece. All samples were treated with PBM 808 nm laser in continuous wave mode with 1 W, 1 W/cm2, 60 J and 60 J/cm2 for 60 s. Untreated control samples were placed in a similar set-up with laser at 0 W for 60 s. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. A significant difference between the ATP production of the mitochondria in the centre vs. the edge is indicated by the symbol * and ****, respectively p < 0.05 and 0.0001, ns indicates a no-significant difference.

4. Discussion

Photobiomodulation involves changes in cellular metabolism through the transfer of energy from photons to its photoacceptors [7]. The pivotal role of mitochondria in the translation of biophotonic energy to biochemical changes has been previously demonstrated [10][19][20][21][22][23]. However, the rigour of the photobiomodulation clinical outcomes has been questioned. The device technology used for photobiomodulation delivery plays a critical role in improving treatment standardization [24]. Indeed, our data point out that power density delivery is affected by the probes used for these treatments. In this study, we noted that despite both the fibre and standard hand-piece delivering the correct power density, only a surface area less than 50% of the laser spot size was effectively illuminated. Further, the distribution of the different power densities on the treatment spot size was more non-uniform for the fibre compared to a standard hand-piece. Strikingly, flat-top prototype delivered the most consistent power distribution over 90% of the treatment area. Furthermore, the flat-top hand-piece was able to maintain constant power from contact to a couple of centimetres away allowing for improved clinical consistency during PBM treatment delivery as previously reported by Hanna et al. [18]. This evidence supports the notion that the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy could be significantly influenced by both the probes employed and the delivery technique of the operator. The significant improvement in mitochondrial activity with the flat-top hand-piece prototype demonstrated a homogenous treatment spot size in the centre and on either sides. This contrasted with the significant differences in the fibre and standard hand-piece groups indicating that the biological responses were most uniformly achieved with the current flat-top prototype. Improvements in the laser device, fibre and collimating procedure with the lens and probe design could further significantly improve the rigour and consistency of PBM clinical treatments.
As noted in our previous work, PBM responses involve complex events resulting from the absorption and scattering of the photons and the generation of an electromagnetic field [25]. This work was based on three-dimensional modelling of photon waves interacting within the mitochondrial droplet generated between the laser to the coverslip. The differences in the beam power density distribution during treatment with the three probes may impact these interactions affecting the overall photobiomodulation responses. Additionally, recent work from our group observed a limited dose range of a 980 nm diode laser, which affects the complexes III and IV as well as ATP production and oxygen consumption of mitochondria [10]. Slight variations (0.1 W) in the treatment power appeared to drastically modulate the photobiomodulation outcomes. Basically, 0.8–1.1 W kept mitochondria coupled and induced increments of ATP production by increments of complex III and IV activities. In contrast, 0.1–0.2 W uncoupled the mitochondria and had an inhibitory effect of ATP synthesis and increment of oxidative stress, while 0.3–0.7 and 1.2–1.4 W did not appear to affect these responses. These data suggest a major limitation in the reproducibility of photobiomodulation responses lie in a non-homogeneous distribution of the laser energy. Variations in an area of only 1 cm2 appeared to induce drastically different photobiomodulatory responses (positive, null or negative) in these in vitro studies. Therefore, we would expect significant differences in groups of neighbouring cells and overall tissues when this therapy is used in clinical in vivo scenarios.
This work has some strengths and limitations. A single spot size of 1.13 cm in diameter was used allowing for a limited drop volume of isolated mitochondria sufficient to assess ATP. Further reduction of the drop diameter or an increment of the laser spot-size as well as reducing treatment power could highlight further, perhaps more dramatic, differences. However, the use of three-dimensional dose modelling [25], the temperature monitoring during treatments [10], the standardised ATP synthesis evaluation of treated mitochondria [10][19][20] and the careful assessment of the treatment power at the target surface with a power meter [18], enabled comparisons of the three discrete probe designs and were clear strengths.

5. Conclusions

To summarize, our data demonstrated that the fibre, standard hand-piece and the flat-top hand-piece prototype have different beam energy distribution features. These differences significantly affected our primary endpoint, which was mitochondria activity with respect to their position in the treatment spot size. Our second endpoint showed that even at a power of 1 W, there was no damage to mitochondrial function. These results provide evidence that flat-top hand-piece allows improved photobiomodulation treatment reproducibility, especially in clinical scenarios where the distance from the target surface may vary during treatments and the wide affected area needs uniform irradiation to better experience the photobiomodulation effects.

References

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  3. Mester, E.; Szende, B.; Gartner, P. The effect of laser beams on the growth of hair in mice. Radiobiol. Radiother. 1968, 9, 621–626.
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