14 DAY TRIAL // A recent study conducted on mice by researchers at the Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research found that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light for short intervals of time (between 15 and 30 minutes) was very beneficial for those with asthma-like symptoms, as it reduced inflamed airways and lungs in the animals.
Consequently, exposure to UV sun rays is not that harmful as previously thought, but the period of exposure should be limited and prolonged sunbaths in this type of sunlight completely avoided. UV radiation is mainly known for its harmful effects on people's skin, being the leading factor which triggers melanoma formation and skin cancer.
This is why the leader of the research and Associate Professor Prue Hart cautioned: "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."
Prof. Hart also explained how UV light is beneficial for human health, especially in reducing asthma symptoms: "This research clearly shows that controlled exposure to ultraviolet light markedly limits the development, incidence and severity of asthma symptoms in mice. 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."
Taking into account the fact that the team of researchers involved in the current study showed UV light to have positive effects against asthma-like symptoms and it is very potent in reducing and even reversing them, scientists at the Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Asthma Foundation have announced that they are now considering ways of using UV sunlight to reduce inflamed airways and lungs. However, further research is still needed.
In this respect, John Shave, CEO of the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia, stated: "The Asthma Foundation and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research have a long and close association, and we are both very proud of what researchers in this State have achieved over the years. This research, together with other research funded by the Asthma Foundation of WA, has the potential to significantly improve the lives of people with asthma not only in Australia, but around the world."