New research from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC suggests that exposure to long-wavelength red light may significantly reduce the risk of blood clot formation, potentially offering a novel approach to preventing heart attacks, strokes, and other thromboembolic events. The study, published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, reveals that red light exposure can modulate platelet function and regulate thrombus formation in both humans and mice.
Red Light Reduces Clot Formation in Mice
In a controlled experiment, mice were exposed to alternating cycles of red, blue, or white light for 72 hours. The mice exposed to red light exhibited nearly five times fewer blood clots compared to those exposed to blue or white light. Importantly, factors such as activity levels, sleep patterns, and body weight remained consistent across all groups, indicating that the light exposure itself played a crucial role in reducing clot formation.
Impact of Blue Light Filtering Lenses on Blood Clot Risk in Humans
The research team also analyzed data from over 10,000 patients who had undergone cataract surgery. These patients received either traditional lenses that transmit the entire visible light spectrum or blue light-filtering lenses that reduce blue light transmission by approximately 50%. The results showed that cancer patients wearing blue light-filtering lenses had a notably lower risk of blood clot formation compared to those wearing conventional lenses. This finding is particularly significant given that cancer patients face a ninefold increase in the risk of developing blood clots.
Optic Pathway and Immune Response
Further investigation revealed that the optic pathway is crucial for this phenomenon. Blind mice did not experience the same reduction in blood clots upon exposure to red light, suggesting that visual perception of light is essential. Additionally, red light exposure was associated with diminished inflammatory responses and immune system activation. Mice exposed to red light displayed fewer neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), structures used by immune cells that can also ensnare platelets and promote clot formation. The study also indicated that red light exposure might enhance fatty acid production, which in turn reduces platelet activation.
Clinical Trial Preparations
In preparation for clinical trials, the researchers are developing specialized red light goggles to precisely control the amount of light exposure participants receive. These trials aim to determine whether targeted red light treatment can effectively lower the risk of blood clots in high-risk patients. According to Dr. Elizabeth Andraska, lead author and assistant professor of surgery at Pitt's Trauma and Transfusion Medicine Research Center and vascular surgery resident at UPMC, this research could lead to a relatively inexpensive therapy that would benefit millions of people. Dr. Matthew Neal, senior author, professor of surgery, and co-director of the Trauma and Transfusion Medicine Research Center at Pitt, added that understanding the biological mechanisms behind this discovery has the potential to massively reduce the number of deaths and disabilities caused by blood clots worldwide.
Future Directions
The researchers plan to continue investigating the biological mechanisms underlying the reduction in clot formation in response to red light. They hope to elucidate the pathways through which light alters biological responses to injury, guiding new therapeutic directions and influencing clinical practices surrounding vascular health.
