Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the body's bronchial (airway) tissues that afflicts millions of people in the United States. People with asthma experience shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing. These symptoms intensify during an asthma attack, which occurs when exposure to allergens or other stimuli further inflame the airways, leading to an inability to expel trapped air from the lungs.

A number of medications are currently used to treat asthma. These medications focus primarily on preventing or reducing the inflammation process, and relaxing the smooth muscle that surrounds the airways. Research conducted by scientists at Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Australia suggests that ultraviolet (UV) radiation may help treat asthma.

The researchers examined the effect of UV light on airway inflammation, lung inflammation and other asthma-like symptoms in mice. After reviewing the data, the researchers found that exposure to UV light for 15 to 30 minutes before allergen exposure significantly reduced the development of asthma-like symptoms. The study also revealed that UV exposure produces a cell type that helps prevent the development of some asthma-like symptoms. This cell can be transferred into other mice before they are sensitized to an allergen.

"This research clearly shows that controlled exposure to ultraviolet light markedly limits the development, incidence and severity of asthma symptoms in mice," said Associate Professor Prue Hart, leader of the research team, in a press release. "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."

These results could lead to the development of new treatments for asthma. However, further research is needed to establish the safety and effectiveness of using UV light on asthma patients.

"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," Hart said. Details of the study were provided by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in a press release.

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