PHOTOBIOLOGICAL REGULATION OF INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES AND TISSUE REPAIR IN PURULENT PATHOLOGY: MECHANISMS AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract

Purulent-inflammatory diseases represent a persistent clinical challenge due to complex pathogenetic mechanisms involving microbial persistence, dysregulated immune responses, oxidative stress, and microcirculatory impairment that collectively hinder effective tissue repair. In recent years, the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance has stimulated interest in complementary therapeutic strategies capable of modulating fundamental biological processes associated with inflammation and infection. Among such approaches, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has attracted considerable attention as a biologically active physical factor capable of initiating photochemical and immunomodulatory responses in living tissues.

The present review aims to analyze contemporary experimental and clinical evidence concerning the biological effects of ultraviolet radiation and its potential role in the regulation of inflammatory and immune processes in purulent pathology. Particular attention is devoted to wavelength-dependent photobiological mechanisms, molecular targets of ultraviolet exposure, and the modulation of oxidative and inflammatory signaling pathways. Current data indicate that controlled ultraviolet irradiation can influence multiple biological systems, including microbial viability, microvascular function, and immune homeostasis. These effects are mediated through photochemical alterations of nucleic acids, generation of reactive oxygen species, and subsequent activation of cellular signaling networks involved in inflammatory regulation and reparative processes.

In addition to its antimicrobial activity, ultraviolet radiation has been shown to affect tissue perfusion, endothelial function, and immune cell activity, which may contribute to improved conditions for wound healing and inflammatory resolution. However, the therapeutic application of ultraviolet-based technologies remains constrained by variability in irradiation protocols, insufficiently standardized dosimetric parameters, and the need for rigorous evaluation of long-term biological safety.

Overall, the available evidence suggests that ultraviolet radiation possesses significant potential as an adjunctive modality in the complex management of purulent-inflammatory diseases. Further interdisciplinary research integrating photobiology, immunology, and clinical medicine is required to establish standardized therapeutic algorithms and evidence-based guidelines for the safe and effective implementation of ultraviolet technologies in clinical practice.