Photobiomodulation on Bax and Bcl-2 Proteins and SIRT1/PGC-1α Axis mRNA Expression Levels of Aging Rat Skeletal Muscle

• Published in: International journal of photoenergy 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.1-8
• Main Authors: Liu, Timon Cheng-Yi, Yang, Hai-Ping, Luo, Qing, Qin, Fei, Liu, Yan-Ying, Li, Fang-Hui, Zhang, Quan-Guang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1110-662X; 1687-529X
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/384816

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.