Abstract: See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353502956 Vitamin D-independent benefits of safe sunlight exposure Article in The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology · July 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105957 CITATIONS READS 4 537 2 authors: Anna Sarah Erem Mohammed S. Razzaque Emory University Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine 14 PUBLICATIONS 124 CITATIONS 203 PUBLICATIONS 10,562 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: public oral health View project Global Health View project All content following this page was uploaded by Anna Sarah Erem on 04 August 2021. The user has requested enhancement of the SEE PROFILE Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology xxx (xxxx) 105957 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jsbmb PR O Benefits of safe sunlight exposure: Vitamin D and beyond OF Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Sarah Erem a, Mohammed S. Razzaque b, ⁎ a Department of Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA b Department of Pathology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, USA ABSTRACT Keywords: Sunlight exposure Ultraviolet radiation Vitamin D Multiple sclerosis Diabetes Cancer COVID-19 This review examines the beneficial effects of ultraviolet radiation on systemic autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and type I diabetes, where the epidemiological evidence for the vitamin D-independent effects of sunlight is most apparent. Ultraviolet radiation, in addition to its role in the synthesis of vitamin D, stimulates anti-inflammatory pathways, alters the composition of dendritic cells, T cells, and T regulatory cells, and induces nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase metabolic pathways, which may directly or indirectly mitigate disease progression and susceptibility. Recent work has also explored how the immune-modulating functions of ultraviolet radiation affect type II diabetes, cancer, and the current global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. These diseases are particularly important amidst global changes in lifestyle that result in unhealthy eating, increased sedentary habits, and alcohol and tobacco consumption. Compelling epidemiological data shows increased ultraviolet radiation associated with reduced rates of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, nonHodgkins lymphoma, and ultraviolet radiation exposure correlated with susceptibility and mortality rates of COVID-19. Thus, understanding the effects of ultraviolet radiation on both vitamin D-dependent and independent pathway is necessary to understand how they influence the course of many human diseases. EC TE D ARTICLE INFO