Influence of multiple UV exposures on serum cobalamin and vitamin D levels in healthy females.
OBJECTIVE
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major source for vitamin D production. Furthermore, UV destroys cobalamins (also called vitamin B12) in solution. However, data from humans are scarce. The aim of the present study was to clarify if UV exposure has any effect on serum cobalamins, as compared to vitamin D levels, in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
This single-center, open observational study was conducted in a research institute: 23 non-pregnant, non-lactating, healthy, fair-skinned female subjects had their serum cobalamin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D, the marker for vitamin D status) levels measured before and after exposure to UV.


RESULTS
UV exposure increased serum 25(OH)D levels from 61.6 nmol/L to 88.5 nmol/L (44%; p < 0.001). A statistically insignificant decay in serum cobalamin levels from 300 pmol/L to 260 pmol/L (13%; p = 0.142) was observed in the volunteers after the first UV exposure; however, no additional decline of statistical significance was seen after subsequent exposures.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple exposure to UV radiation give a significant increase in 25(OH)D levels, but has no detrimental effect on cobalamin concentrations.
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway astaj@rr-research.no.
Asta
A
Juzeniene
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Zivile
Z
Baturaite
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Zoya
Z
Lagunova
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Mantas
M
Grigalavicius
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway Department of Oncology, Drammen hospital, Drammen, Norway.
Alina C
AC
Porojnicu
Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Øyvind S
ØS
Bruland
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway Institute of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Johan
J
Moan
D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D014805:Vitamin B 12
Cobalamin; ultraviolet radiation; vitamin B12; vitamin D; women