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Review
. 2025 Feb 4;40(1):64.
doi: 10.1007/s10103-025-04319-9.

Photobiomodulation of gut microbiota with low-level laser therapy: a light for treating neuroinflammation

Larissa Espindola da Silva  1 , Daniel Fernandes Martins  2 , Mariana Pacheco de Oliveira  3 , Mariella Reinol Stenier  3 , Bruna Barros Fernandes  3 , Stefanny da Silva Willemann  3 , Gabriela de Souza  2 , Willians Fernando Vieira  4   5 , Andrew Hewitson  6 , Francisco J Cidral-Filho  2   7 , Gislaine Tezza Rezin  3
Affiliations
Review

Photobiomodulation of gut microbiota with low-level laser therapy: a light for treating neuroinflammation

Larissa Espindola da Silva et al. Lasers Med Sci. .

Abstract

The gut microbiota is known to interact with various organs in the body, including the central nervous system, through the gut-brain axis. Intestinal dysbiosis can lead to increased peripheral inflammation and, consequently, affect the brain, resulting in neuroinflammation. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has demonstrated positive regulatory effects on the imbalance of certain body functions, including pain, inflammation, immunity, wound healing, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Therefore, PBM at the intestinal level could help improve intestinal dysbiosis and reestablish cerebral homeostasis. In this context, this study aimed to conduct a narrative review of the literature on the effects of PBM at the intestinal level on intestinal dysbiosis and neuroinflammation. Overall, the findings highlight that PBM modulates the gut microbiota, suggesting it could serve as a therapy for neurological conditions affecting the gut-brain axis. Future research should focus on further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying this therapy.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; Laser therapy; Neuroinflammation; Photobiomodulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Informed consent: Not applicable.

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