Biological and Biochemical Effects of Light Therapy for Horses

This clinical study investigates the biological and biochemical effects of light therapy, specifically focusing on horse solariums, and their therapeutic potential through combined infrared and visible red light wavelengths. Red light therapy for horses provides photobiomodulation to enhance cellular function, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. Red light therapy stimulates mitochondrial activity, promoting tissue repair and antioxidant production, which are critical for athletic and aging horses. The study examines hematological parameters, oxidative stress markers, and biochemical responses to determine age-related therapeutic efficacy. As natural light diminishes in winter, artificial light therapy can provide essential physiological support, making this research valuable for optimizing equine health management strategies. Photo Foundation Dotyk Plazmy

This study investigated the impact of light therapy on blood parameters and antioxidant capacity in ten geldings, divided into young (5–7 years old) and old (14–19 years old) groups at the University of Warmia and Mazury. Conducted from late November to December 2021 at an equestrian center, the horses received ten light therapy sessions using infrared and ultraviolet lamps. Blood samples were collected before therapy, after five sessions, and after ten sessions to assess various hematological indicators and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results indicated age-related changes in blood parameters and differing responses to light therapy, especially in antioxidant levels and enzyme activities, with younger horses showing increased resilience compared to older ones.

Orzołek A, Rafalska KT, Domosławska-Wyderska A, Rafalska AM, Dziekońska A, Jastrzębska E, Dobbek D. Effect of Solarium Light Therapy on Selected Biological and Biochemical Parameters of Peripheral Blood in Young and Old Horses. PLoS One. 2024 May 24;19(5):e0304290. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304290. PMID: 38787841; PMCID: PMC11125486.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304290 

The study evaluated the effect of light therapy on blood parameters and antioxidant capacity in ten geldings divided into two age groups: young (5–7 years old) and old (14–19 years old). Conducted during winter at the University of Warmia and Mazury Equestrian Center, the horses underwent ten sessions of 15-minute light therapy every other day. Blood samples were collected at three time points: before therapy, after five sessions, and after ten sessions. Various hematological tests were performed, including white and red blood cell analysis, as well as an assessment of antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR).

Results indicated that as horses aged, there was a significant decrease in red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet (PLT) counts, suggesting a diminished bone marrow response. The study showed a significant decrease in lymphocytes and an increase in neutrophils in older horses, consistent with established observations. Analysis of antioxidant activity revealed that while SOD activity did not correlate with age, GPx activity was markedly higher in older horses. Conversely, younger horses exhibited elevated GR activity.

Light therapy in horses increased membrane fluidity in erythrocytes, resulting in stable RBC counts and hemoglobin levels, despite prior research showing hemoglobin degradation in other species. The treatment altered other parameters, such as increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). Additionally, vitamin C levels in both plasma and erythrocytes decreased during treatment, potentially due to its use as an antioxidant. Light therapy showed potential for improving blood indicators and antioxidant enzyme activities in horses, with enhanced efficacy observed in the younger group.

Results from ANOVA confirmed a significant effect of age on various blood parameters:

• Lymphocyte count (LIMF): significantly higher in younger horses.
• Neutrophil count (NEUT): higher in older horses.
• Hemoglobin content: higher in older horses.
• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): higher in older horses (p ≤ 0.05).
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): higher in older horses (p ≤ 0.05).
• Mean Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content (CHr): higher in older horses (p ≤ 0.05).
• Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): higher in older horses (p ≤ 0.05).

• Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity: significantly higher in older horses.
• Glutathione reductase (GR) activity: similar across age groups, but in erythrocytes, GR activity was more than twice as high in younger horses (p ≤ 0.05).
• Plasma glutathione content (GSH): significantly higher in younger horses.
• Erythrocyte GSH levels: Comparable between age groups.
• Plasma vitamin C content: higher in younger horses (p ≤ 0.05).
• Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels: lower in older animals (p ≤ 0.05).

Light therapy significantly affected the following blood parameters:

• Morphological indices: Therapy impacts:
  • Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
  • Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
  • Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
  • Hemoglobin Distribution Width (HDW)
  • Mean Reticulocyte Corpuscular Volume (MCVr)
  • Mean Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content (CHr)
  • Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)

• Catalase (CAT) activity: Decreased in the plasma of younger animals after therapy.
• Glutathione peroxidase (GPx): Increased in the plasma of younger animals.
• Glutathione reductase (GR): Increased in younger animals.
• Total Antioxidant Status (TAS): gradually increased during light therapy (p ≤ 0.05).
• Reticulocyte count: In older horses, there was a significant decrease after five sessions.
• Erythrocyte parameters: Positive effects included increased MCV, HDW, MCVr, CHr, and MPV values.

• Plasma vitamin C levels: dependent on light therapy, with significant differences observed between age groups.
• D3 levels: No statistically significant differences were observed between age groups.

The data indicated that while age and light therapy did not have a significant impact on morphological parameters of peripheral blood, their effects were notable with regard to:

• Glutathione reductase (GR) activity: Different effects were observed depending on age.
• Total Antioxidant Status (TAS): Highly dependent on both factors.
• Antioxidant enzymes: GPx and GR activity in erythrocytes showed variability depending on the age group, suggesting that younger horses may respond more favorably to light therapy for increased antioxidant capacity.

Overall, the combination of age and light therapy provided insights into optimizing horse health and antioxidant support in equine care.

The study found that using light therapy with a solarium positively affects both blood parameters and antioxidant capacity in leisure horses during winter. Key findings indicated an increase in hematological indicators such as mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin distribution width (HDW), reticulocyte indices, and mean platelet volume (MPV). Additionally, there was a decrease in basophils, accompanied by changes in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in both age groups. Young horses exhibited a noticeable increase in white blood cell and monocyte counts, contrasting with the older group where a decrease in reticulocytes was observed.

Vitamin C and glutathione (GSH) were identified as key antioxidants, while GPx and GR activity varied depending on GSH demand. The study highlighted the importance of maintaining GSH levels and minimizing oxidative stress for erythrocyte health. Importantly, light therapy was found to be more beneficial for younger horses, suggesting that their immune systems respond better to such treatment. These results underscore the potential of light therapy as a method to support horse health and performance, especially in managing oxidative stress during the winter months.

It should be noted that it is often good practice to combine red and infrared light therapy with the latest technologies such as, for example, Kloud PEMA (Prof. Dr. Wolf Alfred Kafka).

The information contained in this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a doctor or specialist before beginning any therapy or treatment.