Blue Light and Wound Healing

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 22720

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute for Research in Operative Medicine (IFOM), Witten/Herdecke University, Ostmerheimer Str. 200,Haus 38, D-51109 Köln, Germany
Interests: wound healing; photobiology; cold plasma; nitric oxide; coagulation; wound infection; burns

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Problematic wound healing and chronic wounds affect millions of patients worldwide and represent a major socio-economic burden to the healthcare sector and society.

Apart from minimizing risk factors contributing to impaired wound healing (obesity, diabetes, malnutrition etc.), innovative treatment concepts in the prevention and treatment of chronic/infected wounds and associated conditions are necessary to improve patient care and healing processes.

Visible light phototherapy, particularly using blue light, has demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy against various microbes and wound pathogens, and can also be used for diagnostic purposes. In addition, blue light may modulate skin physiology and the wound-healing process.

This Special Issue welcomes papers on all aspects of the prevention and treatment of wounds by using blue or visible light. We invite you to submit original research papers with your most recent clinical or experimental findings, review articles, clinical studies, and letters addressing relevant topics in the field.

Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Effects of blue/VIS light on wound healing and skin cells.
  • Mechanisms of photobiomodulation.
  • Light-based wound-healing therapies.
  • Light-based antimicrobial therapies of infected wounds.
  • Scar prevention and treatment.
  • Optical diagnostics for wound infection and impaired wound healing.
  • New instrumentation/light therapy devices.

Dr. Christian Opländer
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • blue light
  • wound healing
  • chronic wounds
  • wound infections
  • phototherapy
  • photobiomodulation
  • scars
  • burns
  • antimicrobial efficacy

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1499 KiB  
Article
Low-Dose Blue Light (420 nm) Reduces Metabolic Activity and Inhibits Proliferation of Human Dermal Fibroblasts
by Anne K. E. Brüning, Jennifer L. Schiefer, Paul C. Fuchs, Patrick Petzsch, Karl Köhrer, Christoph V. Suschek, Ewa K. Stürmer and Christian Opländer
Life 2023, 13(2), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020331 - 25 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2610
Abstract
Hypertrophic scarring in burn wounds is caused by overactive fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Blue light reveals wavelength- and dose-dependent antibacterial and antiproliferative effects and may serve as a therapeutic option against wound infection and fibrotic conditions. Therefore, we evaluated in this study the effects [...] Read more.
Hypertrophic scarring in burn wounds is caused by overactive fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Blue light reveals wavelength- and dose-dependent antibacterial and antiproliferative effects and may serve as a therapeutic option against wound infection and fibrotic conditions. Therefore, we evaluated in this study the effects of single and multiple irradiations with blue light at 420 nm (BL420) on the intracellular ATP concentration, and on the viability and proliferation of the human skin fibroblast (HDFs). In addition, possible BL420-induced effects on the catalase expression and differentiation were assessed by immunocytochemical staining and western blot analyses. Furthermore, we used RNA-seq analyses to identify BL420-affected genes. We found that BL420 induced toxicity in HDFs (up to 83%; 180 J/cm2). A low dose of 20 J/cm2 reduced the ATP concentration by ~50%. Multiple irradiations (4 × 20 J/cm2) inhibited proliferation without visible toxicity and reduced catalase protein expression by ~37% without affecting differentiation. The expression of about 300 genes was significantly altered. Many downregulated genes have functions in cell division/mitosis. BL420 can strongly influence the fibroblast physiology and has potential in wound therapy. However, it is important to consider the possible toxic and antiproliferative effects, which could potentially lead to impaired wound healing and reduced scar breaking strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blue Light and Wound Healing)
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12 pages, 3284 KiB  
Article
Blue-LED-Light Photobiomodulation of Inflammatory Responses and New Tissue Formation in Mouse-Skin Wounds
by Giada Magni, Francesca Tatini, Gaetano De Siena, Francesco S. Pavone, Domenico Alfieri, Riccardo Cicchi, Michele Rossi, Nicoletta Murciano, Gaia Paroli, Clarice Vannucci, Ginevra Sistri, Roberto Pini, Stefano Bacci and Francesca Rossi
Life 2022, 12(10), 1564; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12101564 - 9 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2747
Abstract
Background: Recent studies evidence that blue-LED-light irradiation can modulate cell responses in the wound healing process within 24 h from treatment. This study aims to investigate blue-light (410–430 nm) photobiomodulation used in a murine wound model within six days post-treatment. Methods: A superficial [...] Read more.
Background: Recent studies evidence that blue-LED-light irradiation can modulate cell responses in the wound healing process within 24 h from treatment. This study aims to investigate blue-light (410–430 nm) photobiomodulation used in a murine wound model within six days post-treatment. Methods: A superficial wound was made in 30 CD1 male mice. The injuries were treated with a blue LED light (20.6 J/cm2), and biopsies were collected at 24, 72, and 144 h. Histology, fluorescence analysis, and advanced microscopy techniques were used. Results: We can observe an increase in the cellular infiltrate response, and in mast-cell density and their degranulation index correlated to the expression of the major histocompatibility complex after 24 h. Furthermore, after six days, the vessel density increases with the expression of the platelet-derived growth factor in the mast cells. Finally, collagen deposition and morphology in the treated wounds appear more similar to unwounded skin. Conclusions: Blue-light photobiomodulation stimulates several cellular processes that are finely coordinated by mast cells, leading to more rapid wound healing and a better-recovered skin morphology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blue Light and Wound Healing)
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13 pages, 2355 KiB  
Article
Resistance of Bacteria toward 475 nm Blue Light Exposure and the Possible Role of the SOS Response
by Magdalena Metzger, Ara Hacobian, Lisa Karner, Leonie Krausgruber, Johannes Grillari and Peter Dungel
Life 2022, 12(10), 1499; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12101499 - 26 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2701
Abstract
The increase in antibiotic resistance represents a major global challenge for our health systems and calls for alternative treatment options, such as antimicrobial light-based therapies. Blue light has shown promising results regarding the inactivation of a variety of microorganisms; however, most often, antimicrobial [...] Read more.
The increase in antibiotic resistance represents a major global challenge for our health systems and calls for alternative treatment options, such as antimicrobial light-based therapies. Blue light has shown promising results regarding the inactivation of a variety of microorganisms; however, most often, antimicrobial blue light (aBL) therapy is performed using wavelengths close to the UV range. Here we investigated whether inactivation was possible using blue light with a wavelength of 475 nm. Both Gram-positive and -negative bacterial strains were treated with blue light with fluences of 7.5–45 J/cm2. Interestingly, only some bacterial strains were susceptible to 475 nm blue light, which was associated with the lack of RecA, i.e., a fully functional DNA repair mechanism. We demonstrated that the insertion of the gene recA reduced the susceptibility of otherwise responsive bacterial strains, indicating a protective mechanism conveyed by the bacterial SOS response. However, mitigating this pathway via three known RecA inhibiting molecules (ZnAc, curcumin, and Fe(III)-PcTs) did not result in an increase in bactericidal action. Nonetheless, creating synergistic effects by combining a multitarget therapy, such as aBL, with an RecA targeting treatment could be a promising strategy to overcome the dilemma of antibiotic resistance in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blue Light and Wound Healing)
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Review

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25 pages, 2502 KiB  
Review
Photobiomodulation with Blue Light on Wound Healing: A Scoping Review
by Thais P. Prado, Flávia Cristina Zanchetta, Beatriz Barbieri, Caroline Aparecido, Maria Helena Melo Lima and Eliana P. Araujo
Life 2023, 13(2), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020575 - 18 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5805
Abstract
Background: Photobiomodulation consists of inducing healing by irradiating light. This scoping review investigates the effect of blue light on the healing process. Methods: The MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched. Two reviewers independently examined the search results and extracted [...] Read more.
Background: Photobiomodulation consists of inducing healing by irradiating light. This scoping review investigates the effect of blue light on the healing process. Methods: The MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched. Two reviewers independently examined the search results and extracted data from the included studies. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results: Twenty-two articles were included. Studies were categorized as in vitro/mixed, preclinical, and clinical. The power density used was 10–680 mW/cm2 in most of the in vitro/preclinical studies, the irradiation time ranged from 5 s to 10 min, and different wavelengths and energy densities were used. In clinical studies, the wavelength ranged from 405 to 470 nm, and the energy density varied from 1.5 to 30 J/cm2. Conclusions: A low energy density (<20 J/cm2) was able to stimulate the different cell types and proteins involved in healing, while a high energy density, 20.6–50 J/cm2, significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration, and metabolism. There is a great variety of device parameters among studies, and this makes it difficult to conclude what the best technical specifications are. Thus, further studies should be performed in order to define the appropriate parameters of light to be used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blue Light and Wound Healing)
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11 pages, 438 KiB  
Review
Phototherapy as a Treatment for Dermatological Diseases, Cancer, Aesthetic Dermatologic Conditions and Allergenic Rhinitis in Adult and Paediatric Medicine
by Roy Kennedy
Life 2023, 13(1), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13010196 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3376
Abstract
The development of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has led to an increase in the use of lighting regimes within medicine particularly as a treatment for dermatological conditions. New devices have demonstrated significant results for the treatment of medical conditions, including mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, wound [...] Read more.
The development of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has led to an increase in the use of lighting regimes within medicine particularly as a treatment for dermatological conditions. New devices have demonstrated significant results for the treatment of medical conditions, including mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, wound healing, psoriasis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s disease), basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and cosmetic applications. The three wavelengths of light that have demonstrated several therapeutic applications are blue (415 nm), red (633 nm), and near-infrared (830 nm). This review shows their potential for treating dermatological conditions. Phototherapy has also been shown to be an effective treatment for allergenic rhinitis in children and adults. In a double-anonymized randomized study it was found that there was 70% improvement of clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis after intranasal illumination by low-energy narrow-band phototherapy at a wavelength of 660 nm three times a day for 14 consecutive days. Improvement of oedema in many patients with an age range of 7–17 were also observed. These light treatments can now be self-administered by sufferers using devices such as the Allergy Reliever phototherapy device. The device emits visible light (mUV/VIS) and infra-red light (660 nm and 940 nm) wavelengths directly on to the skin in the nasal cavity for a 3 min period. Several phototherapy devices emitting a range of wavelengths have recently become available for use and which give good outcomes for some dermatological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blue Light and Wound Healing)
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20 pages, 1255 KiB  
Review
The Effects of Blue Light on Human Fibroblasts and Diabetic Wound Healing
by Meesha Purbhoo-Makan, Nicolette Nadene Houreld and Chukuka S. Enwemeka
Life 2022, 12(9), 1431; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12091431 - 14 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3002
Abstract
Diabetes is a serious threat to global health and is among the top 10 causes of death. The Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is among the most common and severe complications of the disease. Bacterial infections are common; therefore, timely aggressive management, using multidisciplinary [...] Read more.
Diabetes is a serious threat to global health and is among the top 10 causes of death. The Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is among the most common and severe complications of the disease. Bacterial infections are common; therefore, timely aggressive management, using multidisciplinary management approaches is needed to prevent complications, morbidity, and mortality, particularly in view of the growing cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Photobiomodulation (PBM) involves the application of low-level light at specific wavelengths to induce cellular photochemical and photophysical responses. Red and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths have been shown to be beneficial, and recent studies indicate that other wavelengths within the visible spectrum could be helpful as well, including blue light (400–500 nm). Reports of the antimicrobial activity and susceptibility of blue light on several strains of the same bacterium show that many bacteria are less likely to develop resistance to blue light treatment, meaning it is a viable alternative to antibiotic therapy. However, not all studies have shown positive results for wound healing and fibroblast proliferation. This paper presents a critical review of the literature concerning the use of PBM, with a focus on blue light, for tissue healing and diabetic ulcer care, identifies the pros and cons of PBM intervention, and recommends the potential role of PBM for diabetic ulcer care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blue Light and Wound Healing)
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