Researchers from Cincinnati in the US have found that fat cells respond to deep under the skin to UV-light. A lack of sunlight could increase, therefore, the risk for metabolic disorders, because the fat cells work in a different way. The scientists report in the journal Cell Reports.
In their experiments, the researchers wanted to find out actually, such as a mouse to control your body temperature. It turned out that the natural light regulates the cooperation of white and brown fat cells, in order to supply other cells with energy.
The researchers had the mice at approximately four degrees Celsius cold, to find out how they produce heat. It was shown that the generation of heat was impaired if the mice have a light-sensitive Gene called OPN3 was missing and if there is no blue light with a wavelength of 480 nanometers available – this wavelength is a natural component of sunlight, is the most artificial light sources but only in small quantities.
Sun light helps the Wärmeproduktion
Blue light brought with the help of the OPN3 gene white fat cells to fatty acids in the bloodstream, freeing up energy for other cells. Brown fat cells burn the fatty acids in cold mice, to generate heat. Mice without the OPN3-could produce less heat. But normal mice with the correct Gene were able to produce in the light of the blue wavelength was missing, poor heat.
Too much time indoors without the sun and spend light, could affect, therefore, important metabolic processes negatively and the risk for certain diseases, for example, for the metabolic syndrome. Whether the results can also be transferred, but needs to be further investigated.
ZOU