Byrnes, et al. (05): Laser alters olfactory ensheathing glial gene expression

[Wise Young]

This is a very interesting paper that shows that exposure to light changes gene expression of olfactory ensheathing glial cells in culture.


• Byrnes KR, Wu X, Waynant RW, Ilev IK and Anders JJ (2005). Low power laser irradiation alters gene expression of olfactory ensheathing cells in vitro. Lasers Surg Med Summary: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Both photobiomodulation (PBM) and olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) transplantation improve recovery following spinal cord injury. However, neither the combination of these two therapies nor the effect of light on OECs has been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of light on OEC activity in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OECs were purified from adult rat olfactory bulbs and exposed to 810 nm light (150 mW; 0, 0.2, or 68 J/cm(2)). After 7-21 days in vitro, cells underwent immunocytochemistry or RNA extraction and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Analysis of immunolabeling revealed a significant decrease in fibronectin expression in the cultures receiving 68 J/cm(2). Analysis of gene expression revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and collagen expression in the 0.2 J/cm(2) group in comparison to the non-irradiated and 68 J/cm(2) groups. OEC proliferation was also found to significantly increase in both light treated groups in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that low and high dosages of PBM alter OEC activity, including upregulation of a number of neurotrophic growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins known to support neurite outgrowth. Therefore, the application of PBM in conjunction with OEC transplantation warrants consideration as a potential combination therapy for spinal cord injury. Lasers Surg. Med. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington.

[beachlover]

Dr. Young -
Can you comment on the implications of this research with regards to the OEG surgeries being performed in China and in Portugal? I wonder if the individuals who have previously received OEG's vs. future OEG surgeries would see some benefits from laser treatment.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts and wisdom.

BTW - your thoracic summary was extremely interesting, even though my personal connection to SCI is a result of a cervical injury to a good friend. You are a light in the sometimes dark and confusing world of SCI.

[Wise Young]

Beachlover,

The reason why I posted this was to point out the fact that low level lasers may have effects on living cells. However, I want to point out that this is very different from laser acupuncture which is often applied to points that are far from the spinal cord. In this case, the light is applied directly to cells.

For many years, electrical currents were also claimed to stimulate axonal growth and tissues but nobody understood what effects they had on cells. It was only with the demonstration that alternating electrical currents increased cAMP levels in cells that people started to apply the currents seriously to restore function.

There are two potential implications of this study. The first is that we should consider the effects of light when culturing cells. It need not be lasers. After all, we grow the cells in darkness usually and then shine light on the cells in a microscope when we look at the cells. The second is that possible use of lasers (lasers do penetrate deeper into tissues because of the coherency and intensity of lasers) to the spinal cord itself.

But, I must say that I don't understand and continue to be skeptical of applying laser to distance parts of the body that have no known physiological or anatomical relationship to the spinal cord. Please note that I am not saying that such laser acunpucture cannot affect the spinal cord but I am limited in my understanding of such effects and don't find the evidence credible.

Wise.

Dr. Young -
Can you comment on the implications of this research with regards to the OEG surgeries being performed in China and in Portugal? I wonder if the individuals who have previously received OEG's vs. future OEG surgeries would see some benefits from laser treatment.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts and wisdom.

BTW - your thoracic summary was extremely interesting, even though my personal connection to SCI is a result of a cervical injury to a good friend. You are a light in the sometimes dark and confusing world of SCI.

[manouli]

Dr. Young, I like you because you are an OPEN MIND DOCTOR. You don't close the door to anything. Good thing to have.manouli.