Sunlight brings relief for asthma symptoms

[Ezliving_Jim]

Sunlight brings relief for asthma symptoms

By Tamara McLean

SUNSHINE could be a saviour for asthma sufferers, according to world-first Australian research suggesting that light can relieve symptoms of the disease.

But the team at Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research warn against sunbaking to reap the benefits before a safer therapy is developed.

Scientists used mice to test the effects of ultraviolet light on the development of asthma-type signs like inflamed airways and lungs.

Preliminary results show that if the animals had a 15-30 minute dose of light before being exposed to a common allergen their chance of developing symptoms was "significantly reduced".

Research leader Professor Prue Hart said UV exposure produces a cell type in a mouse that, when transferred into other mice, suppresses the immune reactions and halts symptoms.

"We measured the response of the airways and if the mice had been radiated beforehand they had very little responses to those allergens," Prof Hart said.

She said the research was the first to prove sunlight was among the environmental and genetic factors that influence the chronic disease.

It was a "hugely exciting" development and could explain why asthma rates were high at a time when people aren't getting as much sun exposure as they did 50 years ago, she said.

"We are now working to better understand that mechanism with the aim of generating new ways to prevent and treat it."

But Prof Hart cautioned the theory had yet to be tested on humans.

And given that overexposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer, sufferers should not rush out to sun bake.

"We advise sticking exactly to Cancer Council regulations," Prof Hart said.

"Our aim is to eventually isolate and separate out the beneficial elements of ultraviolet light to develop a safe and effective asthma therapy."

John Shave, chief executive of the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia, which funded the research, said it had the "potential to significantly improve the lives of people with asthma not only in Australia, but around the world".

More than two million Australians have the condition, including one in six children – the third highest prevalence internationally.

Medical costs and productivity lost from asthma are estimated to cost the nation over $700 million a year.

Source

[solarmeter®]

"Our aim is to eventually isolate and separate out the beneficial elements of ultraviolet light to develop a safe and effective asthma therapy."

Already DONE you silly scientists:



1000 IU per day keeps the doctor away. And the inhalers.

[John]

good find...