Red Light Therapy and Mitochondrial Rejuvenation in Age-Related Disorders.
5 affiliations
- 1The Student Scientific Society, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
- 2Faculty of Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701, Poznan, Poland.
- 3Department of Immunology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka Str. 10, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
- 4Department of Immunology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka Str. 10, 60-806, Poznan, Poland. [email protected].
- 5Lifestyle Medicine Lab, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806, Poznan, Poland. [email protected].
Abstract
Aging is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired ATP production, and a decline in tissue regenerative capacity, leading to the development of age-related diseases. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on mitochondrial function and age-related disorders. PBM using red and near-infrared light may enhance proper mitochondrial function by acting on cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) and other signaling pathways, including the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel, leading to increased ATP production, modulation of ROS signaling, and improved cellular homeostasis. We review in vitro, animal, and clinical studies investigating PBM in metabolic, neurodegenerative, hepatic, cardiovascular, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and skeletal muscle disorders associated with aging, as well as its application in the management of cancer therapy-related oral mucositis. Current studies demonstrate beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, cardiovascular function, neuronal function, lipid metabolism, liver function, muscle regeneration, and visual function in AMD, as well as the safety and efficacy of PBM in the management of cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis. The therapeutic effects of PBM appear to be dose-dependent and influenced by treatment parameters including wavelength, fluence, irradiance, and exposure protocol. Although photobiomodulation still lacks standardized treatment protocols and differences exist in the wavelengths used, dosage, and frequency among studies, it represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of age-related diseases.
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BibTeX
@article{iglewska2026light,
title = {{Red Light Therapy and Mitochondrial Rejuvenation in Age-Related Disorders.}},
author = {Maria Iglewska and Kinga Agata Flis and Maja Kołakowska and Witold Wit Hryniewicz and Agnieszka Pluto-Prądzyńska},
journal = {Molecular neurobiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s12035-026-06294-w},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42955214},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Red Light Therapy and Mitochondrial Rejuvenation in Age-Related Disorders.
AU - Maria Iglewska
AU - Kinga Agata Flis
AU - Maja Kołakowska
AU - Witold Wit Hryniewicz
AU - Agnieszka Pluto-Prądzyńska
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Molecular neurobiology
DO - 10.1007/s12035-026-06294-w
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42955214
AB - Aging is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired ATP production, and a decline in tissue regenerative capacity, leading to the development of age-related diseases. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on mitochondrial function and age-related disorders. PBM using red and near-infrared light may enhance proper mitochondrial function by acting on cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) and other signaling pathways, including the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel, leading to increased ATP production, modulation of ROS signaling, and improved cellular homeostasis. We review in vitro, animal, and clinical studies investigating PBM in metabolic, neurodegenerative, hepatic, cardiovascular, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and skeletal muscle disorders associated with aging, as well as its application in the management of cancer therapy-related oral mucositis. Current studies demonstrate beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, cardiovascular function, neuronal function, lipid metabolism, liver function, muscle regeneration, and visual function in AMD, as well as the safety and efficacy of PBM in the management of cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis. The therapeutic effects of PBM appear to be dose-dependent and influenced by treatment parameters including wavelength, fluence, irradiance, and exposure protocol. Although photobiomodulation still lacks standardized treatment protocols and differences exist in the wavelengths used, dosage, and frequency among studies, it represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of age-related diseases.
SN - 0893-7648
SN - 1559-1182
ER -