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Skin-directed Solius UVB light therapy increases vitamin D levels and alters intestinal microbiome and metabolome homeostasis
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DOI：10.3389/fmicb.2026.1850035.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
The recent global rise in immune and inflammatory diseases; such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases; has been linked to Western society-based changes in lifestyle and environment. These include decreased exposure to sunlight in the ultraviolet B (UVB) spectrum; leading to impaired production of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. In addition; many of these diseases are linked to dysbiotic changes in gut microbiota composition and function. Clinical overlap between skin and gut diseases; along with growing evidence for a bidirectional “skin-gut axis; ” supports the concept that exposing the skin to UVB light may impact the gastrointestinal tract including the microbiome. At present; exactly how UVB exposure influences gut microbial and metabolomic profiles and the role that baseline vitamin D status may play in these relationships remains unclear. To test this; we fed mice either a vitamin D sufficient or deficient diet and exposed them to Solius UVB light therapy (targeted peak of 293 nm) either acutely (single exposure) or repeatedly (six exposures) over 14 days. A single exposure modestly increased circulating vitamin D levels; whereas repeated exposures significantly increased levels to that seen in mice fed a vitamin D sufficient diet; and caused skin photoadaptation without histological injury. Notably; repeated Solius UVB light therapy induced significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota; coinciding with marked fecal metabolome alterations; particularly in mice fed the vitamin D deficient diet. These fecal metabolic changes included increases in short chain fatty acids; as well as bile acid and tryptophan derivatives. In contrast; serum metabolomic responses were less marked; suggesting that Solius UVB light therapy induction of overt metabolic shifts within the intestinal tract is not merely reflective of systemic responses. Together; these findings demonstrate that skin-directed Solius UVB light therapy can be delivered safely; to induce significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and its associated metabolites; in a manner that depends on repeated exposures and baseline vitamin D status. Further studies exploring the ability of Solius UVB light therapy skin exposure to promote intestinal homeostasis and health are thus warranted.
Keywords:
gut microbiota
metabolomics
vitamin D
gut-skin axis (GSA)
UVB light therapy
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