ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low energy-ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on bone metabolism and turnover in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five-week old C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into two groups. Control group (n=35) was not exposed to UVB and experimental group (n=35) was exposed to low energy-UVB for 30 min a day during 7 days. Serological and radiological examination was performed at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 week(s) of each group (n=7). RESULTS: Analysis of biochemical bone markers revealed that alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was detected higher in the UVB group compared to control group. Serum level of osteocalcin was higher in UVB group at 1st week after UVB irradiation (p=0.031). The mean value of Vitamin D was significantly higher in UVB group than control group (p=0.032). Bone mineral density (BMD) from both 5th lumbar spine (p=0.124) and femur (p=0.862) showed higher in UVB group than control group from two weeks after irradiation, but they were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study with radiological bone mineral density and serological tests for biochemical bone turnover markers revealed that ultraviolet irradiation contributed positive effect on bone formation.