Maximization of cytochrome C oxidase enzyme activity by optimizing color conversion from red organic light-emitting diodes

Abstract

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy using red and near-infrared (NIR) light can effectively activate cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) enzyme to promote wound healing in living organisms. To maximize this therapeutic effect, the use of a light source with a spectrum absorbed by the CCO enzyme is necessary. A red/NIR light source optimized for CCO enzyme was obtained by partially color-converting a red organic light-emitting diode with copper indium sulfide/zinc sulfide quantum dots (QDs). To increase color conversion efficiency, the dispersion of QDs was improved by using a fibrous color conversion layer (FCCL). By optimizing the QD content in the FCCL, a red/NIR light source similar to the absorption spectrum of CCO enzyme was obtained with a spectral matching ratio of 81.7 %. When this light source was used in PBM therapy, it was experimentally verified that it showed a much faster wound closure effect compared to general red light, and it was proven that this was due to increased activity of the CCO enzyme. This study is a method of obtaining a red/NIR light source for PBM suitable for a specific enzyme performing a specific function, and is particularly useful due to its excellent form factor of being large, thin, and flexible. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd