Blue light from light-emitting diodes elicits a dose-dependent suppression of melatonin in humans

📖 Top 20% JournalDec 18, 2010Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)

Blue LED light reduces melatonin levels in humans depending on the exposure amount

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Abstract

Increasing irradiances of narrowband blue light can elicit significant plasma melatonin suppression in healthy subjects (P < 0.0001).

The strongest melatonin suppression response occurs in the 446 to 477 nm wavelength range, which appears blue.
A fluence-response curve indicates that the effective dose for melatonin suppression (ED50) is 14.19 μW/cm².
Blue monochromatic light is more effective than longer-wavelength light for enhancing alertness.
Disturbed circadian rhythms and sleep loss are identified as risk factors for impaired alertness and performance.
Narrow bandwidth blue LED light may suppress melatonin more effectively than 4,000 K white fluorescent light.

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Light suppresses melatonin in humans, with the strongest response occurring in the short-wavelength portion of the spectrum between 446 and 477 nm that appears blue. Blue monochromatic light has also been shown to be more effective than longer-wavelength light for enhancing alertness. Disturbed circadian rhythms and sleep loss have been described as risk factors for astronauts and NASA ground control workers, as well as civilians. Such disturbances can result in impaired alertness and diminished performance. Prior to exposing subjects to short-wavelength light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (peak λ = 469 nm; 1/2 peak bandwidth = 26 nm), the ocular safety exposure to the blue LED light was confirmed by an independent hazard analysis using the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists exposure limits. Subsequently, a fluence-response curve was developed for plasma melatonin suppression in healthy subjects (n = 8; mean age of 23.9 ± 0.5 years) exposed to a range of irradiances of blue LED light. Subjects with freely reactive pupils were exposed to light between 2:00 and 3:30 AM. Blood samples were collected before and after light exposures and quantified for melatonin. The results demonstrate that increasing irradiances of narrowband blue-appearing light can elicit increasing plasma melatonin suppression in healthy subjects (P < 0.0001). The data were fit to a sigmoidal fluence-response curve (R(2) = 0.99; ED(50) = 14.19 μW/cm(2)). A comparison of mean melatonin suppression with 40 μW/cm(2) from 4,000 K broadband white fluorescent light, currently used in most general lighting fixtures, suggests that narrow bandwidth blue LED light may be stronger than 4,000 K white fluorescent light for suppressing melatonin.

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