520 nm and 660 nm light-emitting diodes modulates pancreatic development and beta cell functions in zebrafish embryos

Green and Red LEDs increase insulin production, but their comparative effects on pancreatic and beta cell development are unclear. Zebrafish embryos were divided into three groups: Control (n = 60), Green (G) (n = 60), and Red (R) (n = 60), then irradiated for three days (14 hours/day) with 0.5 W/cm2 G (λpeak = 520 nm, 180 mA) and R (λpeak = 660 nm, 210 mA). At the end of 72 h, pancreatic and beta cells, circadian rhythm, and oxidative stress gene were analyzed using RT-PCR. Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels were also evaluated. In the Red group, pancreatic area increased by ~97.13% compared to the Control group and by approximately ~62.16% compared to the G group (both p < 0.0001), and no significant difference in beta cell area (p = 0.964). G group insulin expression increased 2.31-fold compared to R group (p < 0.0001). Red LED treatment increased MDA levels (p < 0.001), oxidative stress (fth1b, nqo1) (p < 0.0001), and per1b during the photophase (p < 0.0001) compared to G group. R LED treatment increases oxidative stress and disrupts circadian rhythm, leading to reduced insulin secretion. The positive effects of G LED treatment have potential for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and pancreatic diseases.