Gut flora-targeted photobiomodulation therapy improves senile dementia in an Aß-induced Alzheimer's disease animal model.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is believed to have a positive regulatory effect on the imbalance of certain body functions, including inflammation, immunity, wound healing, nerve repair, and pain. Previous studies have found that the intestinal flora of patients with AD is in an unbalanced state. Therefore, we have proposed the use of gut flora-targeted PBM (gf-targeted PBM) as a method to improve AD in an Aß-induced AD mouse model. METHODS: PBM was performed on the abdomen of the mice at the wavelengths of 630 nm, 730 nm, and 850 nm at 100 J/cm2 for 8 weeks. Morris water maze test, immunofluorescence and proteomic of hippocampus, and intestinal flora detection of fecal were used to evaluate the treatment effects of gf-targeted PBM on AD rats. RESULTS: PBM at all three wavelengths (especially 630 nm and 730 nm) significantly improved learning retention as measured by the Morris water maze. In addition, we found reduced amyloidosis and tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus by immunofluorescence in AD mice. By using a quantitative proteomic analysis of the hippocampus, we found that gf-targeted PBM significantly altered the expression levels of 509 proteins (the same differentially expressed proteins in all three wavelengths of PBM), which involved the pathways of hormone synthesis, phagocytosis, and metabolism. The 16 s rRNA gene sequencing of fecal contents showed that PBM significantly altered the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora. Specifically, PBM treatment reversed the typical increase of Helicobacter and uncultured Bacteroidales and the decrease of Rikenella seen in AD mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that gf-targeted PBM regulates the diversity of intestinal flora, which may improve damage caused by AD. Gf-targeted PBM has the potential to be a noninvasive microflora regulation method for AD patients.

Comparing the efficacy of pulsed dye laser, Q-Switched Nd-YAG, CO2, and combined CO2 and Q-Switched Nd-YAG lasers for the treatment of cutaneous macular amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: No topical and systemic treatment is proven to be effective on Cutaneous Macular Amyloidosis (CMA). The physical removal of the deposited protein by lasers may be a better choice. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of different lasers including Pulsed dye laser (PDL), 1064 mode of Q-Switched Nd-YAG, CO2, and combined CO2 and Q-Switched Nd:YAG lasers for the treatment of CMA. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 17 adult female patients with clinical CMA and histopathological confirmation were included in this study. Four close 1 by 1 cm2 areas were treated simultaneously with PDL, Q-Switched Nd-YAG, CO2 and combined CO2 and Nd-YAG Lasers. The energy used for 585 nm PDL were 9 J/cm2 with the spot size of 5 mm. The energy used for 1064 nm mode of Nd-YAG laser was 5 Joules/cm2, with the spot size of 4 mm, and the frequency of 10 hertz. The energies used for CO2 laser were 4 and 3.5 Micro Joules for the first and second Passes. RESULTS: No desirable result obtained after PDL therapy. The Q-Switched Nd-YAG was effective in only 3 patients. All areas treated with CO2 laser were cleared. CONCLUSION: The CO2 laser is seems to be the most effective laser treatment of CMA.

The Efficacy of Q-Switched ND:YAG 1064 nm Laser in Recalcitrant Macular Amyloidosis: A Case Report.

Macular amyloidosis typically presents as small, dusky-brown or greyish pigmented macules, the result of altered keratin deposition. Treatment of these hyperpigmented regions with topical and systemic therapies remains challenging, however Q-Switched neodymi- um-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (ND:YAG) laser has proven to be an effective treatment modality to reduce hyperpigmentation. In this case report we investigated the ef cacy of Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser treatment on a 34-year old woman with recalcitrant macular amyloidosis who failed to respond to over-the-counter bleaching creams. The patient was treated with 7 treatment sessions of Q- Switched Nd:YAG laser at one month intervals. According to our photographic analysis and patient self-assessment, the patient ap- peared to improve with each treatment session. Post-recurrence of the lesion after reaction to Triluma ( uocoinolone actetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%), the patient has been continuing to respond well to a second round of treatment with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1456-1458..