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A Protocol for Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy in Mice
Published on: November 18, 2018
Transcranial photobiomodulation improves insulin therapy in diabetic microglial reactivity and the brain drainage
Shaojun Liu1, Dongyu Li2, Tingting Yu1
1Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics-MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Advanced Biomedical Imaging Facility, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Abstract:
The dysfunction of microglia in the development of diabetes is associated with various diabetic complications, while traditional insulin therapy is insufficient to rapidly restore the function of microglia. Therefore, the search for new alternative methods of treating diabetes-related dysfunction of microglia is urgently needed. Here, we evaluate the effects of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) on microglial function in diabetic mice and investigate its mechanism. We find tPBM treatment effectively improves insulin therapy on microglial morphology and reactivity. We also show that tPBM stimulates brain drainage system through activation of meningeal lymphatics, which contributes to the removal of inflammatory factor, and increase of microglial purinergic receptor P2RY12. Besides, the energy expenditure and locomotor activity of diabetic mice are also improved by tPBM. Our results demonstrate that tPBM can be an efficient, non-invasive method for the treatment of microglial dysfunction caused by diabetes, and also has the potential to prevent diabetic physiological disorders.
Insights
Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) enhances insulin therapy for diabetic mice by improving microglial function and stimulating brain drainage. This non-invasive method shows potential for treating diabetes-related disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Microglial dysfunction is implicated in diabetic complications.
- Current insulin therapy inadequately restores microglial function.
- Novel treatments for diabetes-associated microglial dysfunction are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) effects on microglial function in diabetic mice.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of tPBM in this context.
Main Methods:
- Diabetic mice were treated with tPBM.
- Microglial morphology and reactivity were assessed.
- Brain drainage system activation, including meningeal lymphatics, was analyzed.
- Changes in microglial purinergic receptor P2RY12 were measured.
- Energy expenditure and locomotor activity were evaluated.
Main Results:
- tPBM improved microglial morphology and reactivity, complementing insulin therapy.
- tPBM activated the brain's meningeal lymphatic drainage system, reducing inflammation.
- tPBM increased microglial purinergic receptor P2RY12 expression.
- Diabetic mice treated with tPBM exhibited improved energy expenditure and locomotor activity.
Conclusions:
- tPBM is an effective, non-invasive treatment for diabetes-induced microglial dysfunction.
- tPBM may help prevent broader physiological disorders associated with diabetes.
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