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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A dose of sunshine may help asthma patients breathe easier.
Australian researchers from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research say ultraviolet light can reduce the condition.
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Researchers looked at how UV light affected the way mice developed symptoms of asthma, like inflamed airways and lungs. The study reveals being exposed to ultraviolet light for 15 minutes to 30 minutes before being around an allergen significantly reduces the development of asthma-like symptoms.
Researchers also report UV exposure produces a type of cell that can prevent some asthma symptoms when it is transferred into other mice before they develop an allergy.
Researchers say ultraviolet light significantly limits the severity of asthma symptoms and how often they develop in mice.
"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," reports associate professor and lead researcher Prue Hart, Ph.D. "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."
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Asthma Foundation of Western Australia news release, Oct. 25, 2006
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