Photobiomodulation on Bax and Bcl-2 Proteins and SIRT1PGC-1α Axis mRNA Expression Levels of Aging Rat Skeletal Muscle

Abstract EN

Objective.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of low level laser irradiation (LLLI) on Bax and IGF-1 and Bcl-2 protein contents and SIRT1/PGC-1α axis mRNA expression levels to prevent sarcopenia in aged rats.

Material and Methods.

Twenty female Sprague Dawley rats (18 months old) were randomly divided into two groups ( n = 10 per group): control (CON) and LLLI groups.

The gallium-aluminum-arsenium (GaAlAs) laser irradiation at 810 nm was used in the single point contact mode (3.75 J/cm2; 0.4 cm2; 125 mW/cm2; 30 s).

Bax, Bcl-2, and IGF-1 proteins and SIRT1/PGC-1α axis mRNA expression were assessed 24 h after LLLI on gastrocnemius in aged rat.

Results.

Gastrocnemius muscle weights, gastrocnemius mass/body mass, Bcl-2/BAX ratio, Bcl-2 protein, IGF-1 protein, and the mRNA contents in SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, TMF, and SOD2 were significantly ( P < 0.05 ) increased by LLLI compared to CON group without LLLI.

However, levels of BAX protein and caspase 3 mRNA were significantly attenuated by LLLI compared to CON group ( P < 0.05 ).

Conclusion.

LLLI at 810 nm inhibits sarcopenia associated with upregulation of Bcl-2/BAX ratio and IGF-1 and SIRT1/PGC-1α axis mRNA expression in aged rats.

This indicates that LLLI has potential to decrease progression of myocyte apoptosis in sarcopenic muscles.