Red and near-infrared light treatment can change the intensity of biophoton emissions in cell culture

We explored the patterns of biophoton - ultra-weak light made by cells - emissions in Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes in culture. Biophotons were detected using a photomultiplier as a single photon counter. We measured intensity of emissions when healthy (and at rest), stressed with toxins (sodium troclosene or rotenone) and/or treated with red and near infrared light (R-NIr). We measured ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels also. Our results showed that emissions from Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes were similar when both healthy and stressed. Both cell types emitted biophotons at low intensities when healthy (~ 12photons/sec), but this changed markedly under stress. The extent of change was however, dependant on the stressor involved; sodium troclosene increased emissions, while rotenone had a far more limited impact. Finally, we showed that R-NIr did not influence emissions when heathy, but did so when stressed, particularly with sodium troclosene. These emission patterns under different conditions did not relate uniformly to the changes in ATP and ROS levels. In summary, we found that biophoton emissions did not readily define cell type, but could - under some circumstances - be reflective of cell health. Further, that R-NIr could influence these emissions, particularly under stress.