Near-Infrared Light Exposure Triggers ROS to Downregulate Inflammatory Cytokines Induced by SARS Spike Protein in Human Cell Culture, 2023, Aguida +

[SNT Gatchaman]

Near-Infrared Light Exposure Triggers ROS to Downregulate Inflammatory Cytokines Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in Human Cell Culture
Aguida, Blanche; Chabi, Marie-Marthe; Baouz, Soria; Mould, Rhys; Bell, Jimmy D.; Pooam, Marootpong; André, Sebastien; Archambault, Dominique; Ahmad, Margaret; Jourdan, Nathalie

The leading cause of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 is an exaggerated host immune response, triggering cytokine storms, multiple organ failure and death. Current drug and vaccine-based therapies are of limited efficacy against novel viral variants. Infrared therapy is a non-invasive and safe method that has proven effective against inflammatory conditions for over 100 years. However, its mechanism of action is poorly understood and has not received widespread acceptance.

We herein investigate whether near-infrared (NIR) light exposure in human primary alveolar and macrophage cells could downregulate inflammatory cytokines triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and via what underlying mechanism.

Our results showed a dramatic reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines within days of NIR light treatment, while anti-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated. Mechanistically, NIR light stimulated mitochondrial metabolism, induced transient bursts in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activated antioxidant gene transcription. These, in turn, downregulated ROS and inflammatory cytokines. A causal relationship was shown between the induction of cellular ROS by NIR light exposure and the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines triggered by SARS-CoV-2 S.

If confirmed by clinical trials, this method would provide an immediate defense against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and other inflammatory infectious diseases.

Link | PDF (Antioxidants)

 

[Hutan]

In fact, the biphasic dose curve (Arndt-Schulz curve) of photobiomodulation establishes that if irradiance is lower than the physiological threshold value for a given target, it does not produce beneficial effects, even when -irradiation duration is extended. Also, photo-inhibitory deleterious effects may occur at higher irradiances. Remarkably, the beneficial "sweet spot" in between corresponds to the irradiance of the sun.

Almost as if humans had evolved to live in an environment with natural sunlight...

I'm not sure if our problem is ROS and/or things to do with NO, but there are hints that both are affected by sunlight. I think a study of people with severe ME/CFS - providing exposure to morning sun or an artificial light equivalent (with care of course, with masks if light sensitive) could be useful. I reckon, just as being immobile can cause bad effects, so can being inside with no exposure to natural sunlight.

There's this article 'Let it shine, the unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin' which says:
which reported:

Numerous studies have since shown that UV light triggers DNA mutations in skin cells which, left unchecked, could lead to skin cancer.
Puzzlingly though, despite facing an increased risk of skin cancer, people who are exposed to lots of sun appear to have longer life expectancies, on average, than sun avoiders.

This counterintuitive connection first came to light in 2014, when a Swedish researcher called Pelle Lindqvist published the results of a large study that followed the health of around 30,000 women over 20 years. It found that, on average, women who spent more time in the sun lived for one to two years longer than those who avoided the sun, even after taking into account factors such as wealth, education and exercise. This increased life expectancy appeared to stem from lower rates of cardiovascular disease and other non-cancer-related illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disease and chronic lung disease.

Other studies have since identified a similar pattern, including among pale-skinned Britons. In July, Richard Weller at the University of Edinburgh and his colleagues published a preprint analysis which drew on data from 376,729 people with white ancestry who were enrolled in the UK Biobank Study – an enormous online database of medical and lifestyle records – whose health was followed for an average of 13 years.

It found that those with more active sun-seeking behaviour were 14% less likely to die from any cause during the study period compared to sun avoiders, and their risk of death from cardiovascular disease was 19% lower.