Proposed Mechanisms of Photobiomodulation (PBM) Mediated via the Stimulation of Mitochondrial Activity in Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Evidence shows that nerve injury triggers mitochondrial dysfunction during axonal degeneration. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in axonal regeneration. Therefore, normalizing mitochondrial energy metabolism may represent an elective therapeutic strategy contributing to nerve recovery after damage. Photobiomodulation (PBM) induces a photo biological effect by stimulating mitochondrial activity. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that PBM improves ATP generation and modulates many of the secondary mediators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and calcium ions (Ca 2+ )], which in turn activate multiple pathways involved in axonal regeneration.