Skin exposure to UVB light induces a skin-brain-gonad axis and sexual behavior

Parikh, Roma; Sorek, Eschar; Parikh, Shivang; Michael, Keren; Bikovski, Lior; Tshori, Sagi; Shefer, Galit; Mingelgreen, Shira; Zornitzki, Taiba; Knobler, Hilla; Chodick, Gabriel; Mardamshina, Mariya; Boonman, Arjan; Kronfeld‐Schor, Noga; Bar‐Joseph, Hadas; Ben‐Yosef, Dalit; Amir, Hadar; Pavlovsky, Mor; Matz, Hagit; Ben-Dov, Tom; Golan, Tamar; Nizri, Eran; Liber, Daphna; Liel, Yair; Brenner, Ronen; Gepner, Yftach; Karnieli‐Miller, Orit; Hemi, Rina; Shalgi, Ruth; Kimchi, Tali; Percik, Ruth; Weller, Aron

doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109579

“…3a ), indicating that the UVB response was persistent. Following the exposure, the total plasma proteins were subjected to proteomic analysis 24 (Supplementary Table 2 ). As in humans, following the UVB exposure, in mice males show more protein changes related to metabolism compared to females (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food-seeking behavior is triggered by skin ultraviolet exposure in males

Parikh

¹

,

Parikh

²

,

Michael

³

et al. 2022

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Sexual dimorphisms are responsible for profound metabolic differences in health and behavior. Whether males and females react differently to environmental cues, such as solar ultraviolet (UV) exposure, is unknown. Here we show that solar exposure induces food-seeking behavior, food intake, and food-seeking behavior and food intake in men, but not in women, through epidemiological evidence of approximately 3,000 individuals throughout the year. In mice, UVB exposure leads to increased food-seeking behavior, food intake and weight gain, with a sexual dimorphism towards males. In both mice and human males, increased appetite is correlated with elevated levels of circulating ghrelin. Specifically, UVB irradiation leads to p53 transcriptional activation of ghrelin in skin adipocytes, while a conditional p53-knockout in mice abolishes UVB-induced ghrelin expression and food-seeking behavior. In females, estrogen interferes with the p53–chromatin interaction on the ghrelin promoter, thus blocking ghrelin and food-seeking behavior in response to UVB exposure. These results identify the skin as a major mediator of energy homeostasis and may lead to therapeutic opportunities for sex-based treatments of endocrine-related diseases.

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“…UV light is one of several environmental stimuli that can affect the circadian rhythm with its important regulatory role in reproduction [ 26 ]. In our recently published study, we describe a novel mechanism underlying a skin-brain-gonad axis [ 17 ]. Chronic UV exposure led to increased levels of sex hormones in male and female mice and increased sexual responsiveness and attractiveness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conditional knockout of p53 specifically in skin keratinocytes abolished the effects of UV light. Thus, UV triggers a skin-brain-gonadal axis through skin p53 activation [ 17 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Variation of Testosterone Levels in a Large Cohort of Men

Zornitzki

¹

,

Tshori

²

,

Shefer

³

et al. 2022

International Journal of Endocrinology

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Context. Various data suggest seasonal variation in testosterone levels. However, previous studies are limited by their size or by variability in baseline characteristics. Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate in a large cohort of males with a wide range of age, metabolic status, and coexistent morbidities whether month of blood test performance was associated with total and bioavailable testosterone levels independent of age, body mass index (BMI), existing cardiovascular disease (CVD), and CVD risk factors. Methods. Cross-sectional study includes data from computerized medical records of 27,328 men aged 20–70, treated by the largest healthcare organization in Israel, who had undergone testosterone measurement. In 7,940 subjects with available sex-hormone-binding globulin levels, bioavailable testosterone was calculated. Results. Total and bioavailable testosterone levels gradually decreased with age and BMI ( P < 0.001 ) and were significantly lower in men with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and known CVD, but were higher in current smokers compared with nonsmokers ( P < 0.001 ). Hormone levels were highest in August-October declined after and lowest in March. Overall, both total and bioavailable testosterone levels were significantly lower in March compared to August-October ( P < 0.001 ). In a linear regression analysis, age, BMI, current smoking, and month of testing were independently associated with total ( P < 0.001 ) and bioavailable testosterone levels ( P = 0.002 ), and diabetes was associated with total testosterone ( P < 0.001 ). Conclusion. In a large cohort of men with a wide range of age, BMI, and comorbidities, month of testing was independently associated with total and bioavailable testosterone levels. These data provide strong evidence that seasonal variation has to be considered in clinical practice.

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“…Isolated studies suggest that UVR exposure may decrease the risk of MS more in females compared to males (109), and that latitude may contribute to the increase in females with MS (7) whereas others have found no difference in sex ratios across latitudes (110). UVR exposure may influence the production of sex hormones (111,112) which recently were associated with hormone-induced behavioral changes (112). Whether the impact of UVR exposure on reducing MS risk and pathology is mediated through sex hormones remains to be investigated.…”

Section: Uvr and Vitamin D -Their Impact On Ms In Males And Femalesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex-Specific Environmental Impacts on Initiation and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

Leffler

¹

,

Trend

²

,

Gorman

³

et al. 2022

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The immunological mechanisms that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) differ between males and females. Females are 2–3 times more likely to develop MS compared to males, however the reason for this discrepancy is unknown. Once MS is established, there is a more inflammatory yet milder form of disease in females whereas males generally suffer from more severe disease and faster progression, neural degradation, and disability. Some of these differences relate to genetics, including genetic control of immune regulatory genes on the X-chromosome, as well as immune modulatory properties of sex hormones. Differences in MS development may also relate to how sex interacts with environmental risk factors. There are several environmental risk factors for MS including late-onset Epstein Barr virus infection, low serum vitamin D levels, low UV radiation exposure, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Most of these risk factors impact males and females differently, either due to biological or immunological processes or through behavioral differences. In this review, we explore these differences further and focus on how the interaction of environmental risk factors with sex hormones may contribute to significantly different prevalence and pathology of MS in males and females.

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Skin exposure to UVB light induces a skin-brain-gonad axis and sexual behavior

Cited by 22 publications

References 91 publications

Food-seeking behavior is triggered by skin ultraviolet exposure in males

Food-seeking behavior is triggered by skin ultraviolet exposure in males

Seasonal Variation of Testosterone Levels in a Large Cohort of Men

Sex-Specific Environmental Impacts on Initiation and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

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