25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism modulates the effect of variable UV exposure on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 plasma concentrations
(2026) In Communications medicine 6(1).- Abstract
Background: 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) affects immune function, bone health, and reproduction. The precursor of 25(OH)D3, vitamin D3, is synthesized upon ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, the levels of which vary. Methods: In a one-year observational study, we used multiple statistical approaches to examine 25(OH)D3 metabolism and UV exposure in 217 healthy men (aged 30–50 years) not using vitamin D supplementation, living between Athens and the Arctic Circle. Complementary data were obtained from six consecutive crews of Antarctic expeditioners. Results: We show that, while vitamin D3 synthesis tracks UV exposure, resulting 25(OH)D3 concentrations are... (More)
Background: 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) affects immune function, bone health, and reproduction. The precursor of 25(OH)D3, vitamin D3, is synthesized upon ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, the levels of which vary. Methods: In a one-year observational study, we used multiple statistical approaches to examine 25(OH)D3 metabolism and UV exposure in 217 healthy men (aged 30–50 years) not using vitamin D supplementation, living between Athens and the Arctic Circle. Complementary data were obtained from six consecutive crews of Antarctic expeditioners. Results: We show that, while vitamin D3 synthesis tracks UV exposure, resulting 25(OH)D3 concentrations are strongly shaped by the kinetics of 25(OH)D3 synthesis and degradation. Notably, the efficiency of 25(OH)D3 synthesis is high at low vitamin D3, but decreases markedly at higher vitamin D3. This results in comparable summer 25(OH)D3 maxima across European sites. Additionally, the kinetics of 25(OH)D3 degradation induces rapid seasonal concentration shifts, yet also exerts a moderating effect by dampening both seasonal maximum and minimum 25(OH)D3. Comparison of the seasonal patterns of plasma parameters and environmental parameters at European sites shows that vitamin D3 follows the UV exposure pattern, while 25(OH)D3 concentrations align with local temperature patterns. Antarctic data support the alignment between 25(OH)D concentrations and temperature. Conclusions: The kinetics of 25(OH)D3 synthesis and degradation modulate the effect of variable UV exposure on 25(OH)D3 concentrations. This results in a regulated plasma signal reflecting local seasonal parameters. While absolute 25(OH)D3 concentrations are commonly investigated, future studies should also examine their temporal dynamics as a biological signal.
(Less)
- author
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-12
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Communications medicine
- volume
- 6
- issue
- 1
- article number
- 105
- publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105029794958
- pmid:41530331
- ISSN
- 2730-664X
- DOI
- 10.1038/s43856-025-01368-7
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- fbf158f8-81c8-438b-b321-2d4575a1cce6
- date added to LUP
- 2026-02-27 11:57:15
- date last changed
- 2026-05-09 00:06:28
@article{fbf158f8-81c8-438b-b321-2d4575a1cce6,
abstract = {{<p>Background: 25-hydroxyvitamin D<sub>3</sub> (25(OH)D<sub>3</sub>) affects immune function, bone health, and reproduction. The precursor of 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub>, vitamin D<sub>3</sub>, is synthesized upon ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, the levels of which vary. Methods: In a one-year observational study, we used multiple statistical approaches to examine 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> metabolism and UV exposure in 217 healthy men (aged 30–50 years) not using vitamin D supplementation, living between Athens and the Arctic Circle. Complementary data were obtained from six consecutive crews of Antarctic expeditioners. Results: We show that, while vitamin D<sub>3</sub> synthesis tracks UV exposure, resulting 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> concentrations are strongly shaped by the kinetics of 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> synthesis and degradation. Notably, the efficiency of 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> synthesis is high at low vitamin D<sub>3</sub>, but decreases markedly at higher vitamin D<sub>3</sub>. This results in comparable summer 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> maxima across European sites. Additionally, the kinetics of 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> degradation induces rapid seasonal concentration shifts, yet also exerts a moderating effect by dampening both seasonal maximum and minimum 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub>. Comparison of the seasonal patterns of plasma parameters and environmental parameters at European sites shows that vitamin D<sub>3</sub> follows the UV exposure pattern, while 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> concentrations align with local temperature patterns. Antarctic data support the alignment between 25(OH)D concentrations and temperature. Conclusions: The kinetics of 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> synthesis and degradation modulate the effect of variable UV exposure on 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> concentrations. This results in a regulated plasma signal reflecting local seasonal parameters. While absolute 25(OH)D<sub>3</sub> concentrations are commonly investigated, future studies should also examine their temporal dynamics as a biological signal.</p>}},
author = {{Scholze, Alexandra and Shinkov, Alexander and Slavov, Georgi S. and Luman, Merike and Vallianou, Natalia and Petrauskiene, Vaida and Stubnova, Viera and Wilson, Thomas and Shen, Jianlin and Geladari, Eleni and Trigkidis, Kyriakos and Assing, Kristian and Bumblyte, Inga A. and Gunga, Hanns Christian and Kambezidis, Harry D. and Rasmussen, Lars M. and Tepel, Martin and Hirche, Frank and Steinach, Mathias and Stangl, Gabriele I. and Feister, Uwe and Tan, Qihua}},
issn = {{2730-664X}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
series = {{Communications medicine}},
title = {{25-Hydroxyvitamin D<sub>3</sub> metabolism modulates the effect of variable UV exposure on 25-hydroxyvitamin D<sub>3</sub> plasma concentrations}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01368-7}},
doi = {{10.1038/s43856-025-01368-7}},
volume = {{6}},
year = {{2026}},
}