Ultra weak photon emission-a brief review

Cells emit light at ultra-low intensities: photons which are produced as by-products of cellular metabolism, distinct from other light emission processes such as delayed luminescence, bioluminescence, and chemiluminescence. The phenomenon is known by a large range of names, including, but not limited to, biophotons, biological autoluminescence, metabolic photon emission and ultraweak photon emission (UPE), the latter of which shall be used for the purposes of this review. It is worth noting that the photons when produced are neither 'weak' nor specifically biological in characteristics. Research of UPE has a long yet tattered past, historically hamstrung by a lack of technology sensitive enough to detect it. Today, as technology progresses rapidly, it is becoming easier to detect and image these photons, as well as to describe their function. In this brief review we will examine the history of UPE research, their proposed mechanism, possible biological role, the detection of the phenomenon, and the potential medical applications.

Non-chemical signalling between mitochondria

A wide variety of studies have reported some form of non-chemical or non-aqueous communication between physically isolated organisms, eliciting changes in cellular proliferation, morphology, and/or metabolism. The sources and mechanisms of such signalling pathways are still unknown, but have been postulated to involve vibration, volatile transmission, or light through the phenomenon of ultraweak photon emission. Here, we report non-chemical communication between isolated mitochondria from MCF7 (cancer) and MCF10A (non-cancer) cell lines. We found that mitochondria in one cuvette stressed by an electron transport chain inhibitor, antimycin, alters the respiration of mitochondria in an adjacent, but chemically and physically separate cuvette, significantly decreasing the rate of oxygen consumption compared to a control (p = <0.0001 in MCF7 and MCF10A mitochondria). Moreover, the changes in O2-consumption were dependent on the origin of mitochondria (cancer vs. non-cancer) as well as the presence of "ambient" light. Our results support the existence of non-chemical signalling between isolated mitochondria. The experimental design suggests that the non-chemical communication is light-based, although further work is needed to fully elucidate its nature.

Corrigendum: A biophoton method for identifying the quality states of fresh Chinese herbs

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1140117.].

A biophoton method for identifying the quality states of fresh Chinese herbs

Introduction: The quality of Chinese herbs is the basis for ensuring their safety and efficacy. However, the quality evaluation system is imperfect. In particular, there is a lack of quality evaluation methods for fresh Chinese herbs during growth. The biophoton is a common phenomenon and provides complete information about the interior of the living system, which is consistent with the holistic concept of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, we aim to correlate the biophoton characteristics with the quality states to find the biophoton parameters that can characterize the quality states of fresh Chinese herbs. Methods: The biophoton characteristics of motherwort and safflower were measured and characterized by the counts per second (CPS) in the steady state and the initial intensity (I₀) and coherent time (T) of delayed luminescence. The active ingredient content was measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The pigment content of motherwort leaves was measured by UV spectrophotometry. The t-test and correlation analysis were performed on the experimental results. Results: The CPS and I₀ of motherwort and I₀ of safflower showed a significant downward trend during the growth process, and their active ingredient content showed a trend that increased and then decreased. The CPS, I₀, and the content of active ingredients and pigments in a healthy state were significantly higher than those in a poor state, while T showed the opposite results. The CPS and I₀ were all significantly and positively correlated with the content of active ingredients and pigments, while the T of motherwort showed the opposite results. Conclusion: It is feasible to identify the quality states of fresh Chinese herbs by using their biophoton characteristics. Both CPS and I₀ have better correlations with the quality states and can be considered characteristic parameters of the quality of fresh Chinese herbs.

Quantifying Biophoton Emissions From Human Cells Directly Exposed to Low-Dose Gamma Radiation

Biophoton emission leading to bystander effects (BEs) was shown in beta-irradiated cells; however, technical challenges precluded the analysis of the biophoton role in gamma-induced BEs. The present work was to design an experimental approach to determine if, what type, and how many biophotons could be produced in gamma-irradiated cells. Photon emission was measured in HCT116 p53^+/+ cells irradiated with a total dose of 22 mGy from a cesium-137 source at a dose rate of 45 mGy/min. A single-photon detection unit was used and shielded with lead to reduce counts from stray gammas reaching the detector. Higher quantities of photon emissions were observed when the cells in a tissue culture vessel were present and being irradiated compared to a cell-free vessel. Photon emissions were captured at either 340 nm (in the ultraviolet A [UVA] range) or 610 nm. At the same cell density, radiation exposure time, and radiation dose, HCT116 p53^+/+ cells emitted 2.5 times more UVA biophotons than 610-nm biophotons. For the first time, gamma radiation was shown to induce biophoton emissions from biological cells. As cellular emissions of UVA biophotons following beta radiation lead to BEs, the involvement of cellular emissions of the same type of UVA biophotons in gamma radiation-induced BEs is highly likely.

The Mystery of Chemotherapy Brain: Kynurenines, Tubulin and Biophoton Release

The majority of patients receiving chemotherapy experience post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, sometimes referred to as "chemo brain" or "chemo fog." The cognitive impairment associated with this syndrome can be severe, and can sometimes last for many years after therapy discontinuation. Despite extensive investigations, its etiology is unknown. We argue that chemo brain results from damage to tubulin within microtubules. This damage can occur directly from tubulin inhibitors such as taxanes, epothilones or vinca alkaloids. Other chemotherapies stimulate increased mitochondrial activity and biophoton release. This results in abnormal tryptophan metabolism and excess production of neurotoxic kynurenines, which, in turn, damage microtubules.

Ultraweak photon emission in the brain

Besides the low-frequency electromagnetic body-processes measurable through the electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), etc. there are processes that do not need external excitation, emitting light within or close to the visible spectra. Such ultraweak photon emission (UPE), also named biophoton emission, reflects the cellular (and body) oxidative status. Recently, a growing body of evidence shows that UPE may play an important role in the basic functioning of living cells. Moreover, interesting evidences are beginning to emerge that UPE may well play an important role in neuronal functions. In fact, biophotons are byproducts in cellular metabolism and produce false signals (e.g., retinal discrete dark noise) but on the other side neurons contain many light sensitive molecules that makes it hard to imagine how they might not be influenced by UPE, and thus UPE may carry informational contents. Here, we investigate UPE in the brain from different points of view such as experimental evidences, theoretical modeling, and physiological significance.