Rationale for 1068 nm Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) as a Novel, Non-Invasive Treatment for COVID-19 and Other Coronaviruses: Roles of NO and Hsp70

Kitchen, Lydia C.; Berman, Marvin; Halper, James; Chazot, Paul

Abstract

Researchers from across the world are seeking to develop effective treatments for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, which arose as a major public health issue in 2019, and was declared a pandemic in early 2020. The pro-inflammatory cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple-organ failure, neurological problems, and thrombosis have all been linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) fatalities. The purpose of this review is to explore the rationale for using photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) of the particular wavelength 1068 nm as a therapy for COVID-19, investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Our findings illustrate the efficacy of PBMT 1068 nm for cytoprotection, nitric oxide (NO) release, inflammation changes, improved blood flow, and the regulation of heat shock proteins (Hsp70). We propose, therefore, that PBMT 1068 is a potentially effective and innovative approach for avoiding severe and critical illness in COVID-19 patients, although further clinical evidence is required.

Citation

Kitchen, L. C., Berman, M., Halper, J., & Chazot, P. (2022). Rationale for 1068 nm Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) as a Novel, Non-Invasive Treatment for COVID-19 and Other Coronaviruses: Roles of NO and Hsp70. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(9), Article 5221. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23095221

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 4, 2022
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2022
• Publication Date: May 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: May 9, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: May 9, 2022
• Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Print ISSN: 1661-6596
• Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 9
• Article Number: 5221
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23095221
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1206778