Pre-conditioning with remote photobiomodulation modulates the brain transcriptome and protects against MPTP insult in mice

Publication date: Available online 6 January 2019Source: NeuroscienceAuthor(s): Varshika Ganeshan, Nicholas V. Skladnev, Ji Yeon Kim, John Mitrofanis, Jonathan Stone, Daniel M. JohnstoneAbstractTranscranial photobiomodulation (PBM), which involves the application of low-intensity red to near-infrared light (600-1100nm) to the head, provides neuroprotection in animal models of various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the absorption of light energy by the human scalp and skull may limit the utility of transcranial PBM in clinical contexts. We have previously shown that targeting light at peripheral tissues (i.e. “remote PBM”) also provides protection of the brain in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, suggesting remote PBM might be a viable alternative strategy for overcoming penetration issues associated with transcranial PBM. This present study aimed to determine an effective pre-conditioning regimen of remote PBM for inducing neuroprotection and elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which remote PBM enhances the resilience of brain tissue. Balb/c mice were irradiated with 670nm light (4J/cm2 per day) targeting dorsum and hindlimbs for 2, 5 or 10 days, followed by injection of the parkinsonian neurotoxin MPTP (50mg/kg) over two consecutive days. Despite no direct irradiation of the head, 10 days of pre-conditioning with remote PBM significantly attenuated MPTP-induced loss of midbrain tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic cells and mitigated the increas...
Source: Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research