Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances. Membrane phospholipids play central roles in cellular integrity and immune regulation. Infrared (IR) radiation is proposed to modulate inflammatory pathways, yet its effects on membrane phospholipid composition in immune cells have not been fully elucidated.

Objective: To investigate changes in membrane phospholipids of lymphocytes and platelets in rats with experimental COPD and to evaluate the effect of IR radiation on these changes.

Methods: COPD was induced in male outbred white rats (n = 60) by daily exposure to tobacco smoke for 60 days. Rats were divided into three groups: COPD untreated, COPD + IR radiation, and control (no smoke exposure). IR treatment consisted of 10 daily sessions (5–10 minutes each) over two weeks. Phospholipid fractions of peripheral lymphocyte and platelet membranes were analyzed using high performance chromatography and quantified by densitometric and photometric methods. Statistical significance was assessed at p < 0.05.

Results: COPD rats demonstrated significant disruptions in membrane phospholipid profiles and increased phospholipase activity compared with controls. After IR treatment, rats exhibited partial normalization of phospholipid fractions, with further improvement at 30 days post treatment. These changes suggest IR radiation supports restoration of membrane structure and function in immune cells under COPD conditions.

Conclusions: IR radiation exerts modulatory effects on membrane phospholipids in lymphocytes and platelets in experimental COPD, reflecting its potential as a therapeutic modality for systemic cellular repair processes in inflammatory lung disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infrared radiation, membrane phospholipids

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