Abstract
BACKGROUND: Under physiological conditions, endothelial cells are the main regulator of arterial tone homeostasis and vascular growth, sensing and transducing signals between tissue and blood. Disease risk factors can lead to their unbalanced homeostasis, known as endothelial dysfunction. Red and near-infrared light can interact with animal cells and modulate their metabolism upon interaction with mitochondria's cytochromes, which leads to increased oxygen consumption, ATP production and ROS, as well as to regulate NO release and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. This medical subject is known as photobiomodulation (PBM). We present a review of the literature on the in vitro and in vivo effects of PBM on endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: A search strategy was developed consistent with the PRISMA statement. The PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Scholar electronic databases were consulted to search for in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS: Fifty out of >12,000 articles were selected. CONCLUSIONS: The PBM can modulate endothelial dysfunction, improving inflammation, angiogenesis, and vasodilatation. Among the studies, 808 nm and 18 J (0.2 W, 2.05 cm(2)) intracoronary irradiation can prevent restenosis as well as 645 nm and 20 J (0.25 W, 2 cm(2)) can stimulate angiogenesis. PBM can also support hypertension cure. However, more extensive randomised controlled trials are necessary.