The study led by Janis T. Eells and colleagues investigates the therapeutic effects of near-infrared light (NIR) on wound healing and tissue recovery. Using low-energy lasers and light-emitting diode (LED) arrays, the researchers demonstrated that red to near-infrared light (630-1000 nm) accelerates wound healing and improves recovery in conditions such as ischemic heart injury and optic nerve degeneration. One of the key mechanisms identified is the interaction of NIR light with cytochrome c oxidase, a mitochondrial enzyme involved in energy production. This interaction boosts mitochondrial function, increases the production of cytochrome c oxidase in neurons, and helps reverse damage caused by metabolic inhibitors. Additionally, the study showed that NIR-LED treatment not only accelerates wound healing in genetically diabetic mice but also prevents oral mucositis in pediatric bone marrow transplant patients, a condition where mucosal damage occurs due to chemotherapy.
These findings suggest that NIR light therapy, similar to the infrared light used in infrared saunas, offers significant benefits for wound healing by enhancing mitochondrial function and cellular energy production. The upregulation of genes that promote wound repair and protect against oxidative stress highlights the potential of infrared light to improve recovery in various tissue injuries, including chronic wounds. For individuals with diabetes or other conditions that impair circulation and tissue repair, infrared saunas may help speed healing by stimulating the mitochondrial pathways involved in energy production and cellular repair. This research positions NIR-LED photobiomodulation as an innovative, non-invasive treatment for tissue injury and disorders linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, making it a promising option for improving wound healing and overall tissue regeneration.
