Authors: Gambichler, T.¹; Bader, A.¹; Vojvodic, M.¹; Avermaete, A.¹; Schenk, M.²; Altmeyer, P.¹; Hoffmann, K.¹

Source: British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 147, Number 6, December 2002 , pp. 1207-1211(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Summary

Background  Previous studies have indicated that solar and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation have a positive influence on psychological variables such as mood and emotional state. Circulating opioid peptides have been suggested as being important in this effect.

Objectives  To investigate in a controlled trial the influence of UVA radiation on opioid peptide levels.

Methods  We determined plasma levels of β-endorphin immunoreactive material (IRM) and met-enkephalin in UV-exposed (n = 35) and non-exposed (n = 9) healthy volunteers. On the first day of the study, blood samples were taken from the volunteers (time A). UVA irradiation was subsequently administered with an air-conditioned tanning device. During the UV exposures the volunteers wore opaque goggles. Twenty minutes after UV exposure, blood samples were collected again (time B). Within the following 3 weeks the volunteers had a series of five UV exposures. On the last day of the study (24 h after the sixth UV exposure) blood samples were collected (time C). The cumulative UVA doses were 96 J cm⁻² for skin type II and 126 J cm⁻² for skin type III. The controls had no UV exposures. Plasma β-endorphin IRM and met-enkephalin levels were determined using radioimmunoassays.

Results  At all times of blood collection (A, B, C), there were no significant differences in plasma levels of β-endorphin IRM and met-enkephalin between UV-exposed and non-exposed volunteers (P > 0·05).

Conclusions  UVA irradiation does not significantly elevate plasma levels of β-endorphin IRM and met-enkephalin. Therefore we suggest that psychological benefits claimed to occur after UV exposure are unlikely to be mediated by the types of circulating opioid peptides measured in this study.

Keywords: β-endorphin immunoreactive material; met-enkephalin; neuropeptides; proopiomelanocortin; ultraviolet A irradiation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04859.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstasse 56, D-4479 Bochum, Germany 2: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité University Hospital, Schumannstrasse 20-21, D-10017 Berlin, Germany

Publication date: 2002-12-01

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