Vitamin B3 was found to protect skin cells from the effects of ultraviolet (UV) exposure which is the main risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancers, reveals new research.
Skin Cancer - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. It can develop due to a continuous exposure to sun over the years.
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. It can develop due to a continuous exposure to sun over the years.
‘Vitamin B3 derivative helps protect skin cells from UV-induced skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common malignancies and are increasing worldwide.’
These cells were treated with three different concentrations of nicotinamide (NAM) -- a form of vitamin B3 -- for 18, 24, and 48 hours and then exposed to UVB. Results showed that pre-treatment with 25 micron (µM) of NAM 24 hours before UV irradiation protected the skin cells from the effects of UV-induced oxidative stress, including DNA damage.
NAM enhanced DNA repair, demonstrated by decreased expression of the DNA repair enzyme OGG1.
Test your Knowledge on Moles and Melanoma
Melanoma is a skin condition that is often a consequence of excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Test your knowledge on melanoma by taking this quiz.
Melanoma is a skin condition that is often a consequence of excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Test your knowledge on melanoma by taking this quiz.
"Our study indicates that increasing the consumption of vitamin B3, which is readily available in the daily diet, will protect the skin from some of the effects of UV exposure, potentially reducing the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers," said Lara Camillo, a research student from the dermatological unit of AOU Maggiore della Carita, Novara, Italy.
Advertisement
Skin Cancer Risk may be Gauged by Accumulated DNA Damage
The risk of melanoma, a type of deadly skin cancer, can be estimated long before the detection of any suspicious moles, stated new research.
The risk of melanoma, a type of deadly skin cancer, can be estimated long before the detection of any suspicious moles, stated new research.
The main risk factor is UV radiation exposure, which damages the DNA, increases ROS production, activates local inflammation, and depletes cellular energy, leading to genomic instability and cell death.
Advertisement
Social Media and Skin Cancer Risk Link Explored
Social media smarts could make you less susceptible to skin cancer, found new research. Greater an individual’s ability to critically access and evaluate social media posts, the less likely they were to idealise a golden tan.
Social media smarts could make you less susceptible to skin cancer, found new research. Greater an individual’s ability to critically access and evaluate social media posts, the less likely they were to idealise a golden tan.
