Subsequent studies provided further data on the involvement of p53 in the darkening of the skin. When the researchers included p53 in keratinocytes, POMC levels rose prominently. In addition, when using ultraviolet radiation in keratinocytes lacked p53, POMC production was not produced and the skin do not tan.

The protein could not only protect against skin damage by promoting the darkening, but also lead to the production of b-endorphin, a protein that binds to opiate receptors in the body and could be associated with feelings of pleasure.

According to the researchers, these proteins could be a clear link between the regulation of tanning and mood. This raises the question of whether p53-mediated induction of b-endorphin is involved in behavior that drives the sun, which often increases skin cancer risk.

The protein not only protects against skin damage by activating the dimming, but also produces endorphins that may be associated with feelings of pleasure in sunbathing.

A protein known for its anticancer function, the protein p53, also promotes skin tanning in response to ultraviolet light received from the sun, a mechanism that appears to inhibit the development of melanoma, the type most common skin cancer, according to a Cancer Institute study of the Dana-Farber in Boston (USA). The research findings, published in the journal Cell.

In a previous study, published last year, researchers found that ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes the keratinocytes produce and secrete a hormone called alpha-MSH which causes the production of melanin by melanocytes. The mechanisms of action that occur in the keratinocytes to lead to the production of alpha-MSH, however, were unknown.

Researchers already knew that alpha-MSH is created when another protein, known as pro-opiomelanocortin (or POMC) decompose. They also knew that the amount of POMC in cells rose sharply when exposed to ultraviolet rays, but did not know what he was doing to increase POMC.

Set random nutritional requirements of a cancer patient is an impossible task, since each patient by age, sex, type of cancer and medical history is a particular case. But we can talk about the advice in nutrition, as general guidelines that should always be confirmed with the oncologist.

Cancer treatment and the disease itself produce states of malnutrition in the patient, which directly affects their quality of life.

Consider the general nutrition advice for cancer:

• Fats: As cancer patients often experience fat loss and muscle mass, it is recommended that the daily calorie intake is at least 25% of everything consumed.

• Protein: protein consumption stands at 15% of daily intake, for example, should consume 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per weight of the person. A 70 kgr should consume between 105 and 140 g of protein per day.

• Fiber: is so important for those suffering from colon or rectal cancer because it has a protective effect.

• Carbohydrates: the right amount is between 50 to 60% of daily intake for an average adult.

Each of these values may be altered in their rate, because each patient has a table space and its particular body reacts to disease. Nutrition should be tailored to each patient, with appropriate medical monitoring.