Summary. Background: The specifics of occupational activities of firefighters is determined by exposures to both fire hazards and a combination of occupational risk factors of various nature significantly exceeding their standard values. Adverse chemical exposures rank first due to unpredictable toxic effects of combustion products from burning synthetic polymers. Yet, the most dangerous are low-temperature fires emitting a wide range of air contaminants including highly lipophilic, bioaccumulative and persistent dioxins. The purpose of the research was to study the relationship between various polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes and blood lipid concentrations of dioxins in firefighters. Materials and methods: We measured average dioxin concentrations in ambient air at different stages of firefighting and in blood lipids of firefighters with different length of service using the analytical method of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cumulative effect of dioxins was estimated in relation to polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes of the first and second phases of biotransformation by determining polymorphisms, the main research method being polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: High concentrations of dioxins measured in ambient air at all stages of firefighting and in blood lipids of firefighters with a significant correlation with work experience indicate that inhalation is one of the main routes of exposure to dioxins and that these chemicals are occupational risk factors for this professional group. The analysis of the relationship between various polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes and blood lipid concentrations of dioxins in the firefighters showed a higher blood level of dioxins in carriers of minor alleles. Conclusions: Genotyping of firefighters and identification of carriers of minor alleles of xenobiotic detoxification genes may contribute to timely preventive and rehabilitation measures aimed at elimination of adverse health effects of occupational exposure to dioxins.
Aim: To study intestinal microbiota and the parameters of oxidative stress in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: The sample consisted of 50 patients with MS aged 55-65 years and residing in Saint Petersburg. The reference group consisted of 129 individuals of similar age without MS. The quantitative and qualitative composition of parietal intestinal microbiota was studied by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry using microbial markers in plasma. Oxidative stress the final oxidation products of protein molecules and lipids including 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and malonic aldehyde were estimated. Nutritional antioxidants including vitamin E, unsaturated fatty acids etc. were assessed by chromatography mass spectrometry and mass spectrometry. Results: In the parietal layer of the intestine in individuals with MS, the total number of microbial markers is positively associated with the markers of the opportunistic microflora and lower levels of normal microflora. In MS patients, the ratio of normal microflora to conditionally pathogenic microflora is twice as low as in the reference group. Level of malonic dialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosin were 48 % and 39 % higher in the MS group. Moreover, plasma concentrations of vitamin E and zinc were lower by 42 % and 80 % in patients with MS compared to the reference group. Сonclusions: The observed differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the parietal microbiota of the intestine in individuals with MS compared to the reference group suggest development of intestinal dysbiosis in MS patients. The intestinal dysbiosis is accompanied by oxidative stress manifested by an increase in the level of malonic dialdehyde in the blood plasma and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in the urine, as well as a decrease in the level of vitamin E and zinc in the blood plasma.
Background: Firefighters are characterized by constant interaction with smoke and various combustion products, which, entering the body can, affect the state of the respiratory system. Objective: To study the relationship of the bioelemental status with changes in the functional state of the lungs in firefighters of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia. Results: The study revealed an increase in a number of toxic microelements in firefighters by 2-5 times compared with persons not participating in fire extinguishing, as well as a decrease in the content of essential microelements in the studied hair samples. The connection of toxic trace elements (aluminum, silver, cadmium) with a decrease in the diffusion capacity of the lungs, broncho-obstructive changes and pulmonary fibrosis was shown. The study showed the relationship between the accumulation of the level of silver, aluminum and cadmium with noticeable changes in the functional state of the lungs.
Relevance. Individuals of stressful professions, including the emergency response officers (firefighters and rescuers) of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, are prone to the early onset of circulatory system diseases (CSD). At in-depth examinations the CSD detection rate in EMERCOM response officers is above 10%. Earlier studies report that CSD risk factors are widespread among EMERCOM of Russia response officers. Therefore, it is relevant to identify the predisposition to CSD as soon as possible in order to maintain good health and longevity among highly qualified professionals of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.The pathophysiological mechanism underlying progression of atherosclerosis affects complicated interactions between vasculature, immune system and lipid metabolism. Evidence shows that intestinal microbiome exacerbates all compound risk factors for atherosclerosis, both directly and indirectly, thus playing an important role in CSD development.Numerous studies revealed that elevated levels of plasma homocysteine and other aminothiols strongly correlate with manifestations of vascular dysfunction in atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and thrombosis, which makes it possible to isolate homocysteine as an independent risk factor for CSD progression.Our objective is to evaluate intestinal microbiome metabolism indicators and plasma aminothiols as early CVD risk markers in emergency response officers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.Methodology. A comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination was performed in 96 emergency response male officers of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations at a regular medical check-up in the outpatient center of the Nikiforov Russian Center of Emergency and Radiation Medicine, EMERCOM of Russia, St. Petersburg. The average age of response officers was (35.9 ± 0.8) years, with average work experience in the EMERCOM of Russia of (8.8 ± 0.5) years. All emergency response officers were split in 3 groups: group 1 included 56 practically healthy males, group 2 - 20 males with risk of CVD development, group 3 - 20 males with established CVD diagnosis. Chromatography with mass-spectrometric determination of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and aminothiols was performed in plasma samples from all examined patients.Results and analysis. TMAO level was elevated by 30 % in group 3 compared to group 1. Acetic acid level decrease by 32 % was found in group 2 and by 45 % in group 3 compared to group 1.Plasma valeric and butyric acids were decreased by 1.9 and 2.5 times respectively in group 3 compared to group 1, as well as by 2 times in group 3 compared to group 2. It was found that in group 3 cystine concentration was decreased by 30 % compared to group 1 and reduced glutathione was elevated by 2 times compared to group 2.Conclusion. The revealed changes in the level of SCFA, aminothiols and TMAO in emergency response officers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia indicate a metabolic imbalance, which expands our understanding of the interactions between the intestinal microbiome and human body. This is fundamentally important for CSD early diagnosis, prevention and correction in emergency response officers of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Relevance. Occupational activities of firefighters are considered extreme. Toxic combustion products are the most dangerous. Among these products, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are particularly dangerous due to their ability to accumulate in the body.Intention is to analyze the content of toxic combustion products in atmospheric air during and after fires of various locations, as well as to evaluate dioxin concentrations in the blood plasma of employees of the Federal Firefighting Service of the Emercom of Russia, depending on the polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes and professional experience.Methodology. To assess accumulation of dioxins in the body of firefighters with different polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes, atmospheric air at different locations of fires was assessed for toxic combustion products. Accumulation of dioxins in the body of firefighters was analyzed depending on the polymorphisms of xenobiotic detoxification genes and work experience. 350 employees of the Federal Firefighting Service of the Emercom of Russia were examined, of them there were 234 firefighters and 116 supervisory staff involved in the investigations at the fire sites. The control group consisted of 82 rescue workers who were not directly involved in fire fighting. The examined individuals aged (32.2 ± 9.5) years.Results and Discussion. The data obtained indicate that high concentrations of dioxins in surface air at the fire site persist for more than 2 weeks, while the maximum permissible concentration is increased 4.5-10-fold. The highest concentration of dioxins is observed during fires in industrial enterprises and in residential buildings. According to the analysis of the dioxins in the blood of the Federal Firefighting Service employees and the control group, concentrations of individual chemical compounds among the employees of the Federal Firefighting Service were 2–7 times higher and 15 times higher in terms of the dioxin equivalent compared to the control group (p <0.05). High concentrations of dioxins were also revealed in the blood of supervisory staff. Analysis of the dioxins in the blood of the staff of the Federal Firefighting Service, EMERCOM of Russia showed that increased length of service correlated with dioxin concentrations in the blood: variations in chemical compounds reached 2.3–6.8 times (p <0.05) between those with 0–1 year vs 6 years or more experience and 1.3–1.7 times (p <0.05) between those with 2–5 years vs 6 years and more experience. Concentrations of dioxins in the blood plasma of employees of the Federal Firefighting Service of the Emercom of Russia were assessed depending on the polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes and professional experience. A group of individuals carrying the combination of the EPHX1 Tyr / Tyr, CYP1A1 A / A, GSTT1 I / I, GSTM1 I / I, GSTP1 A / A, GSTP1 C / C genotypes was revealed: their dioxin concentrations in the blood were as low as 25% of that among other groups despite length of service.Conclusion Genotyping of firefighters will help arrange timely measures to detoxify dioxins, especially in carriers of minor alleles of xenobiotic biotransformation genes, in order to reduce morbidity and increase professional longevity.
Introduction. The profession of firefighters belongs to extreme activities. Fire hazards include flames, sparks, heat flow, elevated ambient temperatures, increased concentrations of toxic combustion and thermal decomposition products, decreased oxygen concentrations, and reduced visibility in smoke. High air temperature during fire extinguishing is one of the main adverse physical factors affecting firefighters’ bodies. Material and methods. The study was carried out on 124 outbred white male 3-month rats weighing 250-300 g, divided randomly into two groups: the first group (62 rats) underwent single hyperthermia. The second group (62 rats) experienced daily hyperthermia for 14 days. The study of the behavioural activity of animals was carried out after single and prolonged hyperthermia using the following methods: “Open field”, “Elevated cruciform maze”, Porsolt’s test, running on a treadmill. The tests were performed two times: the first time - before exposure, the second - after, with intervals between tests of at least two weeks. Results. The data obtained indicate that the high ambient temperature causes changes in the behavioural responses in animals, which is expressed by an increase in the level of anxiety, a decrease in motor and research activity, the development of depressive states, and a decrease in physical endurance. Conclusion. An experimental model of extreme heat exposure on animals showed the emergence and persistence of changes in animals’ behavioural activity and physical performance indicators. This experiment can be used to study the long-term effects of high temperatures on firefighters’ bodies.
Relevance. Professional activity of operational staff of the Russian EMERCOM in the Arctic zone is associated with adaptive changes in the body resulting in changes in all types of metabolism, appearance of functional abnormalities and, without proper correction, development of various diseases. The complex system of metabolic interaction between humans and the microbiota is well described by the “microbiota-gut-brain” axis, which includes endocrine, immune, and neurohumoral pathways. Dysfunction of this axis in humans may be involved in pathogenesis of various diseases and somatic psychoneurological disorders.Intention is to study features of the intestinal microbiota in operational staff of the Russian EMERCOM working in the adverse conditions of the Arctic zone.Methodology. A study group included 94 firefighters and rescuers of the Russian EMERCOM working in the Arctic zone of Russia and was divided into subgroups depending on relevant work experience (0–5 years, 6–10 years, 11 years and more), as well as on age (22–35 years and 36–56 years). A control group included 98 rescue workers from the North-West regional search and rescue team and employees of the territorial fire departments of St. Petersburg (males aged 32.1 ± 0.5 years). Quantity and composition of the parietal intestinal microbiota were assessed based on microbial markers in the blood plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results and Discussion. Negative changes in the quantity and structure of the parietal intestinal microbiota were revealed in operational staff of the Russian EMERCOM working in the Arctic zone of Russia as compared with the control group: the total number of microbial markers was reduced by 34 %, beneficial flora – by 44 %, opportunistic flora – by 10 %, aerobes – by 25 %, anaerobes – by 32 %. In the structure of beneficial microflora, the proportion of Lactobacillus was 1.5 times greater and the proportion of Bifidobacterium was 3 times fewer. The most pronounced changes in the intestinal microbiota with increase of work experience were found in rescuer workers (a decrease in opportunistic flora and aerobes, an increase in the ratio of anaerobic to aerobic flora). According to the Kruskal–Wallace test, the amount of microbial markers of Bifidobacterium, Propionibacterium/Cl. Subterminale, aerobes, endotoxin, as well as the ratio of anaerobic to aerobic flora depends on the work experience of operational staff of the Russian EMERCOM working in the Arctic zone of Russia.Conclusion. Ecological and professional stress in operational staff of the Russian EMERCOM working in the Arctic zone disturbs trophism of various types of endogenous microflora and its regulatory relationships with the human body and, hence, results in quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the microflora.
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