Effects of narrowband UVB versus oral vitamin D on immune function

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A randomised, comparative study of the effects of winter supplementation with ultraviolet (UV) B light versus oral vitamin D supplementation to assess the effects on immune function and T regulatory cells.

• IRAS ID

  137519

• Contact name

  Anthony D Ormerod

• Contact email

  a.d.ormerod@abdn.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Aberdeen

• Research summary

  This study will test whether previously observed effects on immune tolerance during winter can be reproduced by oral supplementation of vitamin D alone or by levels of UVB that would be encountered during normal summer skin exposure.

  50 normal subjects will be recruited in winter months and randomly assigned to treatment with narrow band UVB designed to simulate normal summer exposure three times a week for 1 month or alternatively oral supplementation with oral cholecalciferol 1000 units three times a week for one month. Immune function will be assayed using blood tests.

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1

• REC reference

  13/NS/0130

• Date of REC Opinion

  13 Nov 2013

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion