The use of light and laser in the treatment of diabetes has been under research and some controversy. The following paper explores some of the mechanisms involved in glucose level regulation in connection to light. Several researchers have found that laser irradiation can activate ATP production, influence redox values within cells, and have other effects which can (in)directly activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The activation of AMPK plays an important, albeit not an exclusive, role in the induction of GLUT4 recruitment to the plasma membrane. In addition, there is some demonstration that AMPK may regulate glucose transport through GLUT1. Increased glucose uptake will result in an increase in glycolysis and ATP production.

Date Published: 28 February 2006
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 6140, Mechanisms for Low-Light Therapy, 61400N (28 February 2006); doi: 10.1117/12.645879

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6140:
Mechanisms for Low-Light Therapy
Michael R. Hamblin; Ronald W. Waynant; Juanita Anders, Editor(s)