Light emitting diode (LED) therapy reduces local pathological changes induced by Bothrops asper snake venom

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Toxicology
• Biophotonics

Background:

• Bothrops asper snakebite causes significant local tissue damage, including myotoxicity, edema, and pain.
• Current treatments for local envenomation effects are limited.
• Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an emerging therapeutic modality using light to stimulate cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Light Emitting Diode (LED) photobiomodulation at two wavelengths (635 nm red and 945 nm infrared) on local pathological alterations induced by Bothrops asper snake venom.
• To assess the impact of PBM on edema, neutrophil migration, hyperalgesia, and myonecrosis.

Main Methods:

• Mice envenomated with Bothrops asper venom received infrared LED (945 nm) or red LED (635 nm) irradiation immediately, 1 hour, or 2 hours post-injection.
• Measurements included edema volume, neutrophil infiltration, hyperalgesia, and creatine kinase (CK) levels (muscle and plasma).
• Histological analysis was performed to evaluate myonecrosis extent.

Main Results:

• LED treatment significantly reduced edema formation in the plantar region and gastrocnemius muscle.
• Neutrophil migration and hyperalgesia were significantly decreased following LED irradiation.
• Both red and infrared LED treatments substantially reduced myonecrosis, confirmed by reduced CK levels and histological findings.

Conclusions:

• Photobiomodulation with red or infrared LED light, applied post-envenomation, effectively mitigates local effects of Bothrops asper snake venom in mice.
• PBM demonstrated therapeutic potential in reducing myotoxicity, edema, inflammation, and hyperalgesia.
• Further investigation of PBM as a therapeutic strategy for snakebite victims is warranted.