Compr Physiol. 2026 Jun;16(3):e70152. doi: 10.1002/cph4.70152.
ABSTRACT
AIM: Chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH), a hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), contributes to metabolic diseases and enhances associated cardiovascular (CV) complications through oxidative stress and metabolic alterations. We hypothesize that photobiomodulation (PBM), a non-invasive low-level laser therapy, prevents IH-induced insulin resistance (IR), by preserving insulin signalization and reducing oxidative stress in insulin-sensitive organs.
METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomized in 4 groups, submitted to either 2-weeks IH (21%-5% FiO, 60 s cycle, 8 h/day) or normoxia (N), with or without PBM (630 nm, 5 J/cm2, 32 mW, 120 s, 5 days/week). At day 11, insulin sensitivity was assessed by insulin tolerance test. Then, canonical insulin signaling pathway was explored by western-blot, and oxidative stress was assessed by measurement of enzymatic activity, O·- content, and lipid and protein oxidation in liver, gastrocnemius (GC) muscle, and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT).
RESULTS: IH induces systemic IR, impairs insulin signaling in liver and eWAT, and increases hepatic O·- content, while pro/anti-oxidant enzyme activities were unchanged. Interestingly, in IH group only, PBM significantly improves systemic insulin sensitivity, prevents eWAT insulin signaling alteration and decreases hepatic O·- content.
CONCLUSION: PBM alleviates systemic insulin resistance, restores eWAT insulin signaling, and limits hepatic oxidative stress induced by IH. By enhancing insulin sensitivity, PBM could be proposed as a new therapeutic strategy against OSA-associated metabolic comorbidities.
PMID:42216497 | DOI:10.1002/cph4.70152