Photobiomodulation Therapy Promotes Wound Healing via Latent TGF-beta Activation

Wounds can arise due to several underlying pathophysiological processes and require immediate care to promote uneventful healing and limiting morbidity. This presentation will focus on brief background and examine evidences for the therapeutic applications of light energy treatments for wound healing. The wound healing effects of low dose laser treatments was amongst the very first therapeutic benefits described over ۵۰ years ago. Various doses ranging from ۰.۱ to ۱۰ J/cm۲ and wavelengths ranging from ۴۰۵ to ۱۰۰۰ nm appear to provide therapeutic benefits in a broad range of chronic wounds. A range of light energy sources from LEDs to lasers have been used and have specific advantages and limitations. There is a lack of consensus on standardized treatment parameters such as wavelengths, dose and therapeutic outcomes in the reviewed studies preventing direct comparison and clinical protocol recommendation. Our work has outlined the ability of PBM to activate endogenous latent TGF-b۱ that has a direct effect on wound healing. This talk will outline the biophysical and biochemical evidence for this mechanism. The use of a non-invasive, economical and multipurpose application with light devices offers an attractive tool for wound management. However, there is an urgent need from the wound care community to develop optimal clinical protocols based on well-designed, rigorous clinical research studies.