Low-level red plus near infrared lights combination induces expressions of collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Light therapy has attracted medical interests as a safe, alternative treatment for photo-ageing and photo-damaged skin. Recent research suggested the therapeutic activity of red and infrared (IR) lights may be effective at much lower energy levels than those used clinically. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level red plus near IR light emitting diode (LED) combination on collagen and elastin and ATP production. METHODS: Human dermal fibroblasts or skin tissues were irradiated daily by red (640 nm) plus near IR (830 nm) LED lights combination at 0.5 mW/cm2 for 10 minutes (0.3 J/cm2 ). qPCR, ELISAs or histology were used to determine the gene and protein expressions. Fluorescent measurement was used to assess crosslinks of collagen and elastic fibres. ATP production was evaluated by ATP assay. RESULTS: Treatment of human fibroblast cell cultures with low-level red plus near IR lights combination was found to significantly increase LOXL1, ELN and COL1A1 and COL3A1 gene expressions as well as the synthesis of the procollagen type I and elastin proteins. Treating human skin explants with low-level red plus near IR lights combination similarly induced significant increases in the same gene expressions, type III collagen and elastic fibre formation and crosslinks. ATP production was increased in human dermal fibroblasts after red plus near IR lights combination treatment. CONCLUSION: Low-level red plus near IR lights combination stimulated the production of collagen and elastin production associated with anti-ageing benefits. These findings suggest that low-level red plus near IR LED light combination may provide an effective treatment opportunity for people with photo-aged skin.

OBJECTIF: La luminothérapie a suscité des intérêts médicaux en tant que traitement alternatif sûr pour la photo-vieillissement et la peau endommagée. Des recherches récentes ont suggéré que L'activité thérapeutique des feux rouges et infrarouges (IR) pourrait être efficace à des niveaux d'énergie beaucoup plus faibles que ceux utilisés en clinique. Cette étude avait pour but d'évaluer l'efficacité de la combinaison de diodes électroluminescentes (DEL) rouges de faible intensité et de diodes électroluminescentes (IR) sur la production de collagène, d'élastine et d'ATP. MÉTHODES: Les fibroblastes dermiques humains ou les tissus cutanés ont été irradiés quotidiennement par une combinaison de feux rouges (640nm) et de feux à DEL proches de l'IR (830nm) à 0,5mW/cm2 pendant 10minutes (0,3J/cm2). qPCR, ELISA ou histologie ont été utilisés pour déterminer les expressions géniques et protéiques. Des mesures fluorescentes ont été utilisées pour évaluer les liens croisés du collagène et des fibres élastiques. La production d'ATP a été évaluée au moyen d'un essai ATP. RÉSULTATS: Le traitement de cultures de cellules de fibroblastes humaines avec une combinaison rouge de faible intensité et proche des lumières IR a permis d'augmenter significativement les expressions des gènes LOXL1, ELN et COL1A1 et COL3A1, ainsi que la synthèse des protéines de procollagène de type I et d'élastine. Le traitement des explants de peau humaine avec une combinaison rouge de bas niveau et proche des lumières IR a également induit des augmentations significatives dans les mêmes expressions géniques, la formation de collagène de type III et de fibres élastiques et les liaisons croisées. La production d'ATP a augmenté dans les fibroblastes dermiques humains après le traitement combiné rouge et proche des feux IR. CONCLUSION: L'association du rouge de bas niveau et des lumières infrarouges a stimulé la production de collagène et d'élastine associée aux bienfaits de l'antivieillissement. Ces résultats suggèrent que la combinaison de faible intensité de rouge plus proche de la lumière IR LED peut fournir une opportunité de traitement efficace pour les personnes ayant la peau photo-âgée.

Propionibacterium acnes susceptibility to low-level 449 nm blue light photobiomodulation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent advances in low-level light devices have opened new treatment options for mild to moderate acne patients. Light therapies have been used to treat a variety of skin conditions over the years but were typically only available as treatments provided by professional clinicians. Clinical application of blue light has proven to be effective for a broader spectral range and at lower fluences than previously utilized. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that sub-milliwatt/cm2 levels of long-wave blue light (449 nm) effectively kills Propionibacterium acnes, a causative agent of acne vulgaris, in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of LED light boards were designed to facilitate in vitro blue light irradiation to either six-well plates containing fluid culture or a petri plate containing solid medium. P. acnes. Survival was determined by counting colony forming units (CFU) following irradiation. P. acnes was exposed in the presence and absence of oxygen. Coproporphyrin III (CPIII) photoexcitation was spectrophotometrically evaluated at 415 and 440 nm to compare the relative photochemical activities of these wavelengths. RESULTS: 422 and 449 nm blue light killed P. acnes in planktonic culture. Irradiation with 449 nm light also effectively killed P. acnes on a solid agar surface. Variation of time or intensity of light exposure resulted in a fluence-dependent improvement of antimicrobial activity. The presence of oxygen was necessary for killing of P. acnes with 449 nm light. CPIII displayed clear photoexcitation at both 415 and 440 nm, indicating that both wavelengths are capable of initiating CPIII photoexcitation at low incident light intensities (50 uW/cm2 ). CONCLUSION: Herein we demonstrate that sub-milliwatt/cm2 levels of long-wave blue light (449 nm) effectively kill P. acnes. The methods and results presented allow for deeper exploration and design of light therapy treatments. Results from these studies are expanding our understanding of the mode of action and functionality of blue light, allowing for improved options for acne patients. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Low-level red LED light inhibits hyperkeratinization and inflammation induced by unsaturated fatty acid in an in vitro model mimicking acne.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSU), associated with increased sebum production, abnormal follicular keratinization (hyperkeratinization), follicular overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), and increased inflammatory mediator release. Light therapy has attracted medical interests as a safe alternative treatment for acne. Both blue and red light therapies at high doses >10 J/cm2 have demonstrated marked effects on inflammatory acne lesions. However, few studies have investigated the effects of lower doses of light. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological effects of lower doses of red light at 0.2-1.2 J/cm2 for acne using an in vitro model previously developed to mimic the inflammation and hyperkeratinization observed clinically in acne. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human epidermal equivalents were topically exposed to an unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid (OA), followed by red light-emitting diode (LED) light treatments (light-plus-OA treatments). Endpoints evaluated included the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1α, epidermal barrier integrity, as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and stratum corneum (SC) thickness to monitor hyperkeratinization. RESULTS: OA-induced IL-1α release was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced following red LED light at 0.2, 0.5, and 1.2 J/cm2 , from 266 ± 11 pg/ml of no-light-plus-OA-treated (OA treatment without light) controls to 216 ± 9, 231 ± 8, and 212 ± 7 pg/ml, respectively. Histological examination showed that SC thickening following OA treatment was reduced from 43% of total epidermis for no-light-plus-OA treatment to 37% and 38% of total epidermis following 0.5 and 1.1 J/cm2 red light plus OA treatment, respectively (P < 0.05). Moreover, 1.1 J/cm2 red-light-plus-OA treatment improved OA-induced TEER changes from 29% of baseline for no-light-plus-OA treatment, to 36% of baseline. CONCLUSION: Low level red LED light therapy could provide beneficial effects of anti-inflammation, normalizing pilosebaceous hyperkeratinization, and improving barrier impairment in Acne vulgaris. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:158-165, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Galvanic microparticles increase migration of human dermal fibroblasts in a wound-healing model via reactive oxygen species pathway.

Electrical signals have been implied in many biological mechanisms, including wound healing, which has been associated with transient electrical currents not present in intact skin. One method to generate electrical signals similar to those naturally occurring in wounds is by supplementation of galvanic particles dispersed in a cream or gel. We constructed a three-layered model of skin consisting of human dermal fibroblasts in hydrogel (mimic of dermis), a hydrogel barrier layer (mimic of epidermis) and galvanic microparticles in hydrogel (mimic of a cream containing galvanic particles applied to skin). Using this model, we investigated the effects of the properties and amounts of Cu/Zn galvanic particles on adult human dermal fibroblasts in terms of the speed of wound closing and gene expression. The collected data suggest that the effects on wound closing are due to the ROS-mediated enhancement of fibroblast migration, which is in turn mediated by the BMP/SMAD signaling pathway. These results imply that topical low-grade electric currents via microparticles could enhance wound healing.