The Effect of Suntan Parlor Exposure on Delayed and Contact Hypersensitivity

Abstract

Cutaneous and systemic immune function are believed to play an important role in cutaneous carcinogenesis. We therefore sought to determine whether the suntan parlor radiation sources commonly used in the United States cause measurable qualitative suppression of immune function and quantitative alterations in circulating T cell subpopulations. Subjects (n = 22) were recruited and randomly assigned to receive suntan parlor exposures (10 full‐body UV exposures over a 2 week period, shielding only the right flexural arm) or no exposure. Baseline circulating T lymphocyte subpopulations (T helper lymphocyte, CD4; T suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocyte, CD8) were measured. Two weeks later (upon completion of UV exposures for those in this group), circulating T cell subpopulations were measured and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) sensitization (in the UV group, on the UV‐exposed buttock) was performed. Subsequent DNCB elicitation was performed in a bilateral fashion (in the UV group, on the right UV‐shielded and the left UV‐exposed upper arm). We found that subjects in the UV group demonstrated localized suppression of contact hypersensitivity sensitization and elicitation and also an increase in circulating CD8 cells when compared to the control group (P≤ 0.05). We conclude that suntan parlor exposures, as typically received in this country, suppress contact hypersensitivity and increase the circulating T suppressor/cytotoxic cell number quantity.

The Effect of Chronic Ultraviolet Radiation on the Human Immune System†

“…Because of ethical and other difficulties in selecting a suitable hapten, few studies have assessed the effect of repeated UVR on the generation of CHS. Whitmore and Morison (52) irradiated volunteers with 10 whole-body UV exposures (95% UVA, 5% UVB) over 2 weeks, starting at 0.7 MED and increasing on each occasion, although remaining suberythemal throughout. The sensitizer, dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), was applied to an irradiated site immediately following the final UVR.…”

Banning children and youth under the age of 18 years from commercial tanning facilities

“…More recently, Whitmore and Morison (2000) reported that 10 full-body exposures over a two-week period suppressed immunity as assessed by the induction and elicitation arms of the contact hypersensitivity response (CHS). These authors also studied the effect of 10 full-body tanning exposures in 11 volunteers and, not surprisingly, reported the presence of CPD and p53 protein expression in keratinocytes in vivo (Whitmore et al, 2001).…”