NUST Institutions Library Catalogue

Diabetic neuropathy and cognitive impairment are debilitating complications of diabetes, yet
effective multi-targeted therapies remain limited. This study investigated the synergistic effects
of Insulin and Photobiomodulation (PBM) in a streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mouse
model. Mice were divided into five groups: healthy control, diseased, PBM-treated, Insulintreated, and PBM + Insulin-treated, and received treatments for seven days. Functional
outcomes were assessed through behavioural and biochemical analyses, while
histopathological and molecular evaluations examined tissue integrity and the expression of
neuroprotective markers, including Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Myelin
Protein Zero (MPZ), with β-actin as a reference. The combination of PBM and Insulin
produced the most pronounced improvements, demonstrating enhanced cognitive performance,
reduced neuropathic pain, and preservation of neuronal structure, peripheral nerve integrity,
and multi-organ morphology, including the brain, sciatic nerve, heart, liver, kidney, and lungs.
PBM or Insulin alone provided partial protection, with moderate amelioration of functional
deficits and tissue pathology. Mechanistically, combination therapy upregulated BDNF and
MPZ expression, suggesting a molecular basis for enhanced neuroprotection and
remyelination. These findings highlight the potential of PBM combined with Insulin as a
synergistic intervention to mitigate diabetes-induced neuropathy and cognitive decline.
Incorporating such multi-modal strategies may offer a promising avenue for managing
diabetes-related multi-organ complications and improving overall outcomes in diabetic
patients.