Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026
Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation
Published on: August 19, 2025
[Modification of damaging effect of ultraviolet radiation on peritoneal macrophage membranes in mice]
S K Pirutin1, V B Turovetskiĭ, Iu B Kudriashov
1Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biology Faculty, Biophysical Department, Moscow, 119899 Russia. pirutin@aport.ru
Abstract:
Different factors modificating damaging effect of middle-wave ultraviolet radiation (lambda max = 306 nm) on mice peritoneal macrophage plasma membranes were studied. It was shown that damaging effect of ultraviolet declined when the cells were simultaneously treated by red light (lambda max = 713 nm). This protective effect increased when a red component of light became greater and achieved almost 100% when it consisted 28.6%. It was also found that the decrease in intra- and extracellular pH led to the decrease in damaging effect of UVR. The increase of pH bring to an elevation of UVR destructive effect.
Insights
Red light and lower pH protect against middle-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damage to macrophage membranes. Increasing red light or decreasing pH significantly reduces UVR
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Photobiology
Background:
- Middle-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVR) poses a significant threat to cellular structures.
- Macrophage plasma membranes are crucial for immune cell function and susceptible to UVR damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors that modify the damaging effects of UVR on macrophage plasma membranes.
- To explore the protective potential of red light and pH variations against UVR-induced damage.
Main Methods:
- Exposing mice peritoneal macrophages to middle-wave UVR (lambda max = 306 nm).
- Simultaneously treating cells with red light (lambda max = 713 nm) at varying intensities.
- Modifying intra- and extracellular pH levels during UVR exposure.
Main Results:
- Simultaneous exposure to red light significantly reduced UVR-induced damage to macrophage plasma membranes.
- The protective effect of red light increased with its proportion, achieving near-complete protection at 28.6%.
- Decreased intracellular and extracellular pH mitigated UVR's damaging effects, while increased pH exacerbated them.
Conclusions:
- Red light and a lower pH environment offer significant photoprotection to macrophage plasma membranes against UVR.
- These findings suggest novel strategies for mitigating UVR damage in biological systems.
