EFFECTS OF CONTROLLED EXPOSURE OF SUNLIGHT ON PLASMA AND SKIN LEVELS OF BETA-CAROTENE

We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study in 20 healthy young female students (skin type II + III, body mass index 18- 22) in order to evaluate the efficacy of 10 weeks of moderate dose (30 mg/d) beta-carotene (BC) on plasma and skin beta-carotene levels duri ng 12 days of time and intensity controlled sunlight exposure at sea l evel (30 degrees latitude, Red Sea, Eilath, Israel). After 12 days of controlled sun exposure (total UV dose of about 10.000 J/cm(2)), plasm a beta-carotene decreased in the placebo (p<0.01) and beta-carotene gr oup (not significant). In addition cutaneous beta-carotene decreased s ignificantly in both groups. Plasma alpha-tocopherol decreased signifi cantly (p<0.01) during exposure time in both groups. In the supplement ed group, however, the decrease of alpha-tocopherol was significantly greater (p<0.01) than in the placebo group. We conclude that sunlight influences the beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol content of blood and tissues.