Therapeutic Potential of Photobiomodulation in Diabetic Complications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated complications, including diabetic kidney disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy, impose significant challenges on healthcare systems due to their high morbidity, mortality, and associated costs. Existing treatments often yield unsatisfactory clinical outcomes, underscoring the need for innovative approaches to mitigate debilitating effects on patients' health-related quality of life. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light in the treatment of various medical complications associated with DM. The specific wavelength used during PBM is critical in determining the therapeutic outcomes for managing diabetic complications. This paper aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of PBM in the management of diabetic complications, focusing on blue, red, and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Relevant literature from Google Scholar, PubMed and ClinicalTrials databases from inception to date was searched using the keywords 'photobiomodulation', 'diabetes', 'diabetic complications', 'wound healing', 'neuropathy', 'retinopathy', and 'chronic wounds'. Red and NIR wavelengths are commonly used for a range of complications, while blue light has primarily been explored for treating diabetic wounds due to its antimicrobial nature. PBM treatment parameters for the same diabetic complication vary across clinical trials and preclinical research, with minimal clinical trials conducted on most diabetic complications. This inconsistency hinders the establishment of standardized PBM parameters, particularly concerning the optimal application setting.