Probing the differential effects of infrared light sources IR1072 and IR880 on human lymphocytes: evidence of selective cytoprotection by IR1072

Light therapy, both laser and LED, have been shown to provide clinical benefit in many therapeutic arenas. The effects of IR1072 and IR880 were investigated, using a range of single and multiple irradiation protocols, for their effect on freshly prepared human lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. Viable cell numbers remained significantly higher after irradiation with IR1072 and were significantly lower after IR880 irradiation compared to untreated controls, following a daily single irradiation over a 5-day period. Cell numbers were significantly higher after pre-treatment with IR1072 and exposure to UVA, compared to cells treated with UVA only. Cells irradiated twice on Day 3 post-harvest with various wavebands confirm on Day 5, an increase in % cell viability after IR1072, and IR1072 alternating with IR1268 irradiation, and a decrease in % cell viability after IR880 irradiation alone. Further, wavebands tested displayed no significant differences compared to the control. Cells were collected after exposure on Days 3 and 5 with IR1072 and IR880 treatments and protein levels were compared using quantitative immunoblotting probed with an anti-iNOS antibody. Following IR1072, but not IR880, treatment there was a 4.9+/-2.1-fold higher iNOS protein expression in treated cells compared to the control on Day 5 post-treatment.