Time and dose response of photobiomodulation therapy in an endothelial dysfunction model: in vitro study

• Grant number: 24/16210-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: January 30, 2025
• End date: July 29, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Cleber Ferraresi
• Grantee: Lara Maria Bataglia Espósito
• Supervisor: Praveen Arany
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: State University of New York, Buffalo State (SUNY), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/11652-0 - Acute Effect of Photobiomodulation on Blood Pressure, Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in Individuals with Hypertension: A randomized controlled clinical trial, BP.MS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are associated with high levels of prevalence and mortality worldwide. Endothelial dysfunction is strictly related to CVDs, being characterized as a condition in which there is an impairment of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, acting as an important therapeutic target. Photobiomodulation (PBM) can stimulate NO release and modulate endothelial function, promoting endothelial cell proliferation and increasing NO concentration, being a promising therapeutic approach for endothelial dysfunction. However, the specific molecular mechanisms behind PBM effects on endothelial function, along with its time- and dose-response window are not well established, especially considering in vitro models of endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The main objective is to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind PBM effects in an Angiotensin-II Induced Endothelial Injury model on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), also searching to establish the optimal time and dose-response window and ideal wavelength for PBM effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HUVEC will be grown in a standardized environment and maintained at 37 ºC in a 5% CO2 oven. Before PBM experiments, cells will be pre-treated with Angiotensin II to promote an Ang-II-induced HUVEC injury. PBM treatments will be carried out using a red (660 nm) and near-infrared (810 nm) diode laser, with three different irradiances (0.0126; 0.0252 and 0.0377 W/cm²) and a constant treatment time of 300s. Irradiated cells and controls will be analyzed immediately after irradiation and at increasing periods up to 48h, evaluating cell viability, NO production and reactive oxygen species generation. Multiple samples will be performed in each analysis, using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test for comparisons, and considering a p < 0.05 statistically significant.