Abstract

Humans obtain vitamin D from conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation or from dietary sources. As the radiation level is insufficient in winter, vitamin D deficiency is common at higher latitudes. We assessed whether vernal solar UVB radiation at latitudes 61°N and 67°N in Finland has an impact on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [S-25(OH)D] concentrations. Twenty-seven healthy volunteers participated in outdoor activities in snow-covered terrain for 4–10 days in March or April, with their face and hands sun-exposed. The personal UVB doses and S-25(OH)D levels were monitored. A mean UVB dose of 11.8 standard erythema doses (SED) was received during an average of 12.3 outdoor hours. The mean S-25(OH)D concentration in subjects with a baseline concentration below 90.0 nmol/L (n=13) increased significantly, by 6.0 nmol/L from an initial mean of 62.4 nmol/L (p<0.001), whereas in those with a basal concentration above 90.0 nmol/L (n=12) it decreased significantly, by 6.7 nmol/L from a mean of 116.9 nmol/L (p<0.01). To conclude, only 7% of total body surface area was exposed to vernal sunlight and this was capable of increasing S-25(OH)D levels in subjects with a baseline level below 90 nmol/L but not in those with higher levels.

Details

Title
The effect of vernal solar UV radiation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration depends on the baseline level: observations from a high latitude in Finland
Author
Karppinen, Toni 1 ; Ala-Houhala, Meri 2 ; Ylianttila, Lasse 3 ; Kautiainen, Hannu 4 ; Lakkala, Kaisa 5 ; Hannula, Henna-Reetta 5 ; Turunen, Esa 6 ; Viljakainen, Heli 7 ; Reunala, Timo 8 ; Snellman, Erna 9 

 Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland; Department of Dermatology, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland 
 Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland 
 Non ionizing radiation laboratory, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland 
 Unit of Primary Health Care, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Department of General Practice, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Unit of Primary Health Care, Kuopio University Hospital, Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland 
 Finnish Meteorological Institute, Arctic Research Centre, Sodankylä, Finland 
 Aeronomy division, Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, Sodankylä, Finland 
 Children’s Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland 
 Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland 
 Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland 
Publication year
2017
Publication date
2017
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
e-ISSN
22423982
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2195368455
Copyright
© 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.