Espectro de ação da supressão de melatonina pela luz: um estudo comparativo das métricas disponíveis

Abstract

This work presents the main metrics developed so far to correlate physical properties of light and its effects on melatonin suppression. Melatonin is a hormone secreted at night and its production is suppressed by exposure to light. In this context, the negative effects of artificial lighting at night and high exposure to light raise the need for a better quantification of these impacts on health. Different light action spectroscopy methodologies have been recently used to characterize the circadian response mediated by melatonin in humans. Despite that, it was identified a lack of a main validated model for such an action spectrum, thus pointing out the importance of complementary studies. Contributing in this direction, the results of works that developed and tested metrics based on the absorption curves of human melanopsin and cones, and on the dynamics of melatonin suppression in different light regimes were analyzed and compared. These studies reveal how the spectral composition, irradiance and temporality of light modulate the function of human melatonin. Applied to different contexts, this knowledge can bring favorable changes to health in environmental lighting projects, production of ophthalmic lenses, screens, filters, films, and other optical devices.