Photobiomodulation for modulating the key drivers of cardiovascular disease: insights from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research
- Author:
Andrew Jaewoong PARK
1
;
Seung Hoon WOO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review article
- From: Medical Lasers 2025;14(3):127-139
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Photobiomodulation (PBM), a non-invasive therapy utilizing red to near-infrared light, has gained attention for its ability to modulate the key cellular pathways involved in cardiovascular disease (CVD) pathology. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies investigating PBM’s therapeutic potential in cardiovascular conditions, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, and endothelial dysfunction. Across these models, PBM demonstrated consistent efficacy in reducing myocardial fibrosis, restoring mitochondrial bioenergetics, enhancing nitric oxide (NO) signaling, and suppressing inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. In the myocardial infarction models, PBM modulated gene expression and fibrosis-related microRNAs, attenuating adverse remodeling. In heart failure, particularly in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, PBM improved diastolic function and mitochondrial metabolism while reducing perivascular inflammation. In hypertensive models, PBM restored endothelium-dependent vasodilation and reduced blood pressure through enhanced NO bioavailability and redox balance. Mechanistic studies further highlighted PBM’s role in regulating mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics, oxidative stress responses, and angiogenesis, with effects highly dependent on wavelength, fluence, and treatment duration. Together, these findings support PBM as a promising adjunctive strategy for CVD management. However, further studies are needed to refine the treatment protocols and evaluate long-term clinical outcomes.
