Fig. 3.

Primary Mechanisms Underlying Mitochondria Protection through PBM. PBM treatment causes NO to dissociate from Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase, CCO), causing the complex’s activity to increase. This allows the flux of electrons, the pumping of protons, and the synthesis of ATP to increase, thereby boosting cellular energy levels. In addition, when PBM stimulates Complex IV activity in normal cells, mitochondrial membrane potential is increased above normal baseline levels, resulting in a brief and rather modest increase in ROS production. The short burst of ROS is able to activate cytoprotective signaling, which attenuate ROS induced oxidative damage and neuroinflammation