Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
Phypers R et al., 2025 · Photonics
Female infertility from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis poses a challenge for both clinicians and women who are trying to conceive. The present clinical single case report aimed to evaluate the efficacy of multiple wavelengths of red and near-infrared (NIR) laser photobiomodulation (PBM) for increasing the potential of fertility in a woman with PCOS, endometriosis and low ovarian reserve. The observations helped to inform and establish the following: (1) any adverse effects; (2) the possibility of producing an effective PBM protocol; and (3) a healthy live birth. The case report concerns a female who failed to conceive naturally beyond five years and had experienced one unsuccessful IVF cycle. Case report of one female subject with infertility issues, which included failure to conceive naturally beyond five years. Previous conditions were recorded and then compared with outcomes from after the patient received a course of PBM treatments. PBM treatments were given at weekly and/or at two-week intervals over a 5-month period during the follicular stage of the menstrual cycle, using IR and NIR wavelengths between 600 and 1000 nm. After five months a spontaneous conception was achieved. The case resulted in a full-term pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby. Improvements in reproductive health outcomes in this case give reason to suggest that PBM helped to alleviate PCOS and endometriosis which could have been associated with a low ovarian reserve. The case report indicates that a multiwavelength of red and NIR-PBM laser therapy could have positively contributed to a healthy live birth in a female diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis and a low ovarian reserve. Extensive studies with large data are warranted to validate our PBM dosimetry and treatment protocols to assess the potential impact of PBM for treating endometriosis and PCOS. Subsequently, to understand the genetic and phenotype biomarkers would be an important step further to standardise a range of PBM light dosimetry.
Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
He Y et al., 2024 · Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
Ovarian aging is a serious clinical concern. Few safe and effective methods are currently available to improve ovarian functions. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a safe and noninvasive physical therapy that can modulate a series of biological processes. Recently, several studies have noted its potential to improve the function of ovary and reproductive cells. However, the effects of PBM treatment on natural ovarian aging remain unclear. In this study, we used a naturally reproductive aging mouse model to observe the effect of PBM on ovarian function. Young and aged female ICR mice were treated with or without PBM for 2 months. PBM was performed using a semiconductor InGaAlP laser emitting at 650 nm (80 mW, 6.7 mW/cm2 for 5 or 10 min, resulting in a dose of 2 or 4 J/cm2, respectively). After treatment, the effects of PBM and its role in oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial function were investigated. We found that PBM (4 J/cm2) effectively recovered the levels of sex hormones, increased the number of primordial and growing follicles, improved angiogenesis, and decreased cell apoptosis in naturally aged mice. Moreover, PBM reduced oxidative stress, inhibited chronic ovarian inflammation, and improved mitochondrial function in aged ovaries. Similar protective effects of PBM were observed in a hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress model of human granulosa cell line (KGN) in vitro. Increased cell viability, cell proliferation, hormone secretion, mitochondrial membrane potential, and adenosine triphosphate levels and decreased apoptosis and oxidative stress were detected in KGN cells after PBM treatment. Collectively, this study suggest that PBM treatment is beneficial for restoring ovarian function in naturally reproductive aging mice and has a significant protective effect against oxidative stress damage in KGN cells. The mechanisms underlying the benefits of PBM in ovarian aging include antioxidant stress, reduction of inflammation, and preservation of mitochondrial function. Therefore, this study emphasizes the potential of PBM as a therapeutic intervention to ameliorate ovarian aging.
Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
El-Shamy FF et al., 2018 · Journal of lasers in medical sciences
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most widely recognized reasons for infertility. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of laser acupuncture on PCOS women. Twenty-five PCOS women were randomly allocated to either the study group (SG; n=13), treated by laser acupuncture, or the control group (CG; n = 12). Blood hormonal levels and insulin resistance were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. The pre-intervention levels showed no statistically significant differences between SG and CG for baseline characteristics (P>0.05). After 12 weeks of intervention, within-group analyses showed that body mass index (BMI), blood hormonal levels, and insulin resistance were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while no significant changes in follicle-stimulating hormone (P>0.05) were recorded in the 2 groups. Between-groups analyses showed that most outcomes measures were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in SG compared with CG, with no significant changes in FSH and BMI (P>0.05). Laser acupuncture can be suggested as an effective management for PCOS women.
Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
Zheng H et al., 2024 · Photochem & Photobiology
Intrauterine adhesion (IUA), a major cause of uterine infertility, is pathologically characterized by endometrial fibrosis. Current treatments for IUA have poor efficacy with high recurrence rate, and restoring uterine functions is difficult. We aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on IUA and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. A rat IUA model was established via mechanical injury, and PBM was applied intrauterinely. The uterine structure and function were evaluated using ultrasonography, histology, and fertility tests. PBM therapy induced a thicker, more intact, and less fibrotic endometrium. PBM also partly recovered endometrial receptivity and fertility in IUA rats. A cellular fibrosis model was then established with human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) cultured in the presence of TGF‐β1. PBM alleviated TGF‐β1‐induced fibrosis and triggered cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling in ESCs. Pretreatment with the inhibitors targeting this pathway weakened PBM's protective efficacy in the IUA rats and ESCs. Therefore, we conclude that PBM improved endometrial fibrosis and fertility via activating cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling in IUA uterus. This study sheds more lights on the efficacy of PBM as a potential treatment for IUA.