Photobiomodulation therapy enhances surfactant production in premature rat lungs: A non-invasive therapeutic strategy for neonatal respiratory distress syndromes

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of infrared photobiomodulation (PBM) on alveolar surfactant cells and explore cellular-level biological responses in preterm rat lungs. The development of supportive treatments for lung diseases could be advanced by understanding PBM’s influence on alveolar type II cell function, surfactant production, and inflammatory responses. Sixty-eight preterm Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups receiving either 660 nm and 830 nm photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) at 30 mW and 3 J/cm², administered three times daily for three days. Key physiological parameters were monitored, and surfactant proteins were quantified using ELISA. Additionally, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated in H-6053 cells, and histological assessments were performed to identify structural changes. The results demonstrated that 660 nm PBMT significantly increased Surfactant B, C, and D levels. Crucially, this intervention showed no evidence of cytotoxic or phototoxic damage. In contrast, the 830 nm PBMT yielded more variable increases in surfactant proteins and was associated with minimal cytotoxic effects. These findings suggest that 660 nm PBMT is a promising, noninvasive modality for augmenting surfactant production. This approach holds potential as a supportive therapy for neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. Further clinical investigations are warranted to validate these findings in human preterm infants and to fully elucidate the underlying cellular mechanisms.