Nicotinamide (VitB3), a vitamin found in common foods like meats, nuts, grains and cereals, could offer protection against skin cancer, say Australian researchers.
Presenting the results of a trial to the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia's 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting, Associate Professor Diona Damian of the University of Sydney said tests had shown the vitamin prevented damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation by protecting the immune system.
Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation
Health concerns of Ultra Violet Radiation in humans need to be clearly understood to protect oneself from prolonged exposures to solar radiation. Section explains effects of UV radiation on human body.
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"UV radiation in sunlight suppresses the skin's immune system and makes it more susceptible to skin cancer," Professor Damian said. "Our research found that nicotinamide can prevent the immunosuppressive effects of UV by energising cells so they maintain their immunity."
Professor Damian said the tests on volunteers using nicotinamide both as a lotion and in tablet form offered equally strong protection, against both UVB and UVA.
![Prevention of Ultraviolet Radiation]( "Prevention of Ultraviolet Radiation")
Protective measures to be taken to avoid the effects of overexposure to sun
"Sunscreens currently provide very good protection against UVB, which causes sunburn and skin cancer, but are less effective in protecting against UVA, which can also cause skin cancer," she said. "Nicotinamide is relatively cheap to produce, so there is potential for example to incorporate it into sunscreen to boost its effectiveness against UVA.
"Nicotinamide is well tolerated, so could also be taken orally as a supplement, particularly by people who have higher susceptibility to skin cancer."
The next stage in the research, according to Professor Damian, is to see how effective nicotinamide is as a treatment for solar keratoses or sunspots, which are common lesions that sometimes progress to skin cancer. "At this very early stage the damage is not irreversible and we believe nicotinamide may be effective for both the treatment and the prevention of sunspots."
Source: Medindia
GPL/L
Prevention of Ultraviolet Radiation
Protective measures to be taken to avoid the effects of overexposure to sun
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"Sunscreens currently provide very good protection against UVB, which causes sunburn and skin cancer, but are less effective in protecting against UVA, which can also cause skin cancer," she said. "Nicotinamide is relatively cheap to produce, so there is potential for example to incorporate it into sunscreen to boost its effectiveness against UVA.
"Nicotinamide is well tolerated, so could also be taken orally as a supplement, particularly by people who have higher susceptibility to skin cancer."
The next stage in the research, according to Professor Damian, is to see how effective nicotinamide is as a treatment for solar keratoses or sunspots, which are common lesions that sometimes progress to skin cancer. "At this very early stage the damage is not irreversible and we believe nicotinamide may be effective for both the treatment and the prevention of sunspots."
Source: Medindia
GPL/L
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