The ultraviolet B inflammation model: postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and validation of a reduced UVB exposure paradigm for inducing hyperalgesia in healthy subjects.

Siebenga PS, van Amerongen G, Klaassen ES, de Kam ML, Rissmann R, Groeneveld GJ

Pain models are commonly used in drug development to demonstrate analgesic activity in healthy subjects and should therefore not cause long-term adverse effects. The ultraviolet B (UVB) model is a model for inflammatory pain in which three times the minimal erythema dose (3MED) is typically applied to induce sensitisation. Based on reports of long-lasting postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) associated with 3MED, it was decided to investigate the prevalence of PIH among subjects who were previously exposed to 3MED at our research centre. In addition, re-evaluation of the UVB inflammation model using a reduced exposure paradigm (2MED) was performed in healthy subjects.