Direct and indirect effects of ceramic far infrared radiation on the hydrogen peroxide-scavenging capacity and on murine macrophages under oxidative stress

Far infrared (FIR) rays are used for many therapeutic purposes, but the intracellular mechanisms of their beneficial effects have not been entirely elucidated. The purposes of this study were thus to explore the effects of ceramic-generated far infrared ray (cFIR) on RAW 264.7 cells by determining the scavenging activity of hydrogen peroxide (H ₂O ₂), cell viability, and changes in cytochrome c levels and the NADP ⁺/NADPH ratios. The results showed that the H ₂O ₂-scavenging activity directly increased by 10.26% after FIR application. Additional FIR treatment resulted in increased viability of murine macrophages with different concentrations of H ₂O ₂. cFIR significantly inhibited intracellular peroxide levels and LPS-induced peroxide production by macrophages. The increased ratio of hypodiploid cells elicited by H ₂O ₂ was significantly reduced by cFIR. The effects of cFIR on H ₂O ₂ toxicity were determined by measuring intracellular changes in cytochrome c levels and the ratio of NADP ⁺/NADPH, and results showed that cFIR may block ROS-mediated cytotoxicity. In conclusion, data from this study suggest that cFIR may possess antiapoptotic effects by reducing ROS production by macrophages. We also review past articles related to the effects of oxidative stress from metabolically produced H ₂O ₂, and discuss possible beneficial effects of cFIR on living tissues.