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Is the action spectrum for the UV-induced production of previtamin D3 in human skin correct?

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Abstract

The universally recognised action spectrum for the UV-induced conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3 in human skin was published in 1982, and indicates a maximum at about 297 nm with essentially no production above 315 nm. This work represents a milestone in research on vitamin D, but limitations in the original data should be recognised. Various findings have arisen in recent years which cast doubts on the accuracy of the action spectrum and its application for spectral weighting in calculations of effective UV doses. In conclusion, the construction of an entirely new computational model to predict previtamin D levels is recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK

    Mary Norval

  2. Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Lars Olof Björn

  3. Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China

    Lars Olof Björn

  4. Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Frank R. de Gruijl

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  1. Mary Norval
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  2. Lars Olof Björn
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  3. Frank R. de Gruijl
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Correspondence to Mary Norval.

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Norval, M., Björn, L.O. & de Gruijl, F.R. Is the action spectrum for the UV-induced production of previtamin D3 in human skin correct?. Photochem Photobiol Sci 9, 11–17 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1039/b9pp00012g

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