Effect of red light irradiation on blood phosphorus level of hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of red light irradiation on blood phosphorus level of hemodialysis patients. Methods Eighteen patients with maintenance hemodialysis were selected as the subjects and randomly divided into two groups. Twelve subjects were in the treatment group, who received hemodialysis combined with red light irradiation. Six subjects were in the control group, who received hemodialysis combined with placebo irradiation. The dose of red light irradiation treatment was 2 hours/time, 3 times/week for a total of 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected before the first irradiation and after the last irradiation. The blood samples were collected before dialysis, at dialysis for 1 hour, and at dialysis for 2 hours for detecting the blood phosphorus level in the patients. The two groups were also compared in the phosphorus-reducing drugs and blood purification modes. Statistical analysis was performed with χ2 test, t-test, or non-parametric test according to the distribution of data. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in the basic data including age, gender, and primary diseases. There was no significant difference in blood phosphorus level between the two groups before the first red light irradiation [(2.16±0.47) mmol/L vs (2.44±0.20) mmol/L, P=0.202]. After 4 weeks of treatment with red light irradiation, the serum phosphorus level in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group [(2.04±0.40) mmol/L vs (2.64±0.30) mmol/L, P=0.007]. The phosphorus binder dose, calcitriol dose, hemodiafiltration frequency, and hemoperfusion frequency were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion The red light irradiation combined with hemodialysis treatment might be helpful in reducing the blood phosphorus level of hemodialysis patients. Key words: Red light irradiation; Maintenance hemodialysis; Blood phosphorus