Exposure to Sunlight Can Reduce Asthma

A new study has found that exposure to measured doses of ultraviolet (UV) light, such as in sunlight, can reduce asthma.

Researchers at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (Perth, Australia) studied the effect of UV light on the development of asthma-like symptoms in mice, such as inflamed airways and lungs. Exposure to UV light for 15 to 30 minutes before allergen exposure was found to significantly reduce the development of asthma-like symptoms. The researchers found that UV exposure produces a cell type in a mouse that, when transferred into other mice, suppresses the immune reactions --apparently by causing an accumulation of regulatory T cells in the lymph nodes--halting symptoms and decreasing the bronchial hyper-reactivity typically found in asthmatic responses.

"This research clearly shows that controlled exposure to ultraviolet light markedly limits the development, incidence, and severity of asthma symptoms in mice,” said lead author, associate professor Prue Hart. "It appears that sunlight can suppress specific immune reactions, so we are now working to better understand that mechanism with the aim of generating new ways to prevent and treat this chronic disease.”

However, cautions professor Hart, "Given that overexposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer, it is important that we isolate and separate out the beneficial elements of ultraviolet light if we are to develop a safe and effective asthma therapy.”



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Telethon Institute for Child Health Research