Abstract
Objective:
The goal of this randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind study was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous irradiation with polychromatic visible polarized light (540–780 nm; 68% polarization; power density 3.0 E–10 W/cm2) on a subset population of human lymphocytes using flow cytometry.
Background Data:
The biomodulation and therapeutic effects of visible light of different wavelengths are well known, but the immunological effects of polychromatic visible polarized light have not been investigated sufficiently.
Methods:
Before and after 28 consecutive days of irradiation, blood samples were collected from the subjects and the population count of the lymphocyte subset was measured.
Results:
The absolute count of total lymphocytes, CD3+ lymphocytes, and CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes increased by 7% (p = 0.023), 9% (p = 0.058), and 13% (p = 0.021), respectively. Yet the absolute count of WBCs, CD3+CD8+, CD19+, and CD16+56+ lymphocytes did not change significantly.
Conclusion:
The application of polychromatic visible polarized light with the aforementioned features increases the CD3+CD4+ lymphocyte population. It is suggested that this regimen may be useful for the promotion of natural defenses in cell-mediated immunity.
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