Researchers discovered that UV exposure regulates appetite and weight by altering hormone levels and increasing energy expenditure, offering new insights for obesity treatment. However, the risks associated with UV exposure necessitate further study. New reserach reveals a potential mechanism through which ultraviolet radiation could influence the regulation of subcutaneous fat.
This discovery opens up new potential strategies for treating obesity. Obesity and metabolic disorders are growing concerns for public health worldwide. In an innovative research effort, dermatologists investigated how ultraviolet (UV) exposure impacts appetite and weight management.
Their findings revealed that UV exposure increases norepinephrine levels, reduces leptin levels, and promotes the conversion of white fat into brown fat, which enhances energy expenditure. These results potentially pave the way for new approaches to prevent and treat obesity and metabolic disorders. Their findings appear in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology , published by Elsevier.
UV radiation is a common environmental factor that has multifaceted effects on the skin, which encompasses a substantial surface area of the body. UV radiation induces detrimental effects such as sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer; however, it is also associated with beneficial effects such as vitamin D synthesis. Co-first authors Qing-Ling Quan, MD, PhD, and Eun Ju Kim, PhD, Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospita.
