Photobiomodulation modulates peripheral and central expression of inflammation-related genes following carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Peripheral inflammation can induce molecular changes in central nervous system through immune–brain communication. This study investigated whether photobiomodulation (PBM) modulates the temporal mRNA expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and receptors involved in prostacyclin and kinin signaling in peripheral and central tissues following carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. Male Wistar rats received subplantar carrageenan injections (1 mg/paw) and were treated or not with PBM (660 nm) 1 h after carrageenan administration. Animals were euthanized at 1, 3, or 6 h, and mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-10, prostacyclin receptor (IP), and kinin B1 and B2 receptors was quantified by qRT-PCR in subplantar and brain tissues. IL-6 and IP receptor mRNA expression showed their highest levels at 6 h among the carrageenan-treated groups and were reduced by PBM at this time point in both subplantar and brain tissues. In the paw, B1 receptor expression showed its highest level at 3 h among the time points evaluated and was reduced by PBM, whereas B2 receptor expression showed its greatest increase at 6 h. In the brain, PBM reduced B1 and B2 receptor expression at 6 h. IL-10 expression increased in the paw, remaining elevated in PBM-treated animals. In the brain, IL-10 expression was higher at 3 h than at 6 h following carrageenan administration, whereas PBM maintained elevated IL-10 expression at 6 h. Carrageenan-induced peripheral inflammation was accompanied by time-dependent changes in inflammation- and nociception-related gene expression in brain tissue. Localized PBM modulated these peripheral and central transcriptional responses by reducing IL-6, IP, and kinin receptor expression at specific time points while maintaining elevated IL-10 expression. These findings extend previous observations by showing modulation of cytokine, prostacyclin, and kinin signaling-related gene expression following localized PBM.
Source: Lasers in Medical Science
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,590
OpenAlex ID: W7214635258