Markers of adipokine metabolism and hormonal-metabolic disorders in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency

Abstract

Introduction. With the growth of urbanization processes, the problem of professional exposure to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency is an increasingly relevant topic. Recently, the scientists paid a special attention to the long-term health consequences associated with prolonged exposure to harmful physical factors. The previously obtained data on the increase in the levels of lipid metabolism and hormonal and metabolic disorders in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency determine the relevance of studying adipokine metabolism and assessing genetic risk factors for predisposition to cardiovascular pathology in employees of the electric power industry.
 The study aims to research the relationship of biochemical and molecular genetic markers of adipokine metabolism with indicators of hormonal and metabolic disorders for a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency.
 Materials and methods. The researchers examined 144 employees of the main group engaged in the repair and operation of power grid facilities and 40 employees of the control group who are not exposed to electromagnetic fields of industrial frequency.The concentration of leptin and adiponectin was determined in blood serum samples. The authors have calculated the ratio of adiponectin to leptin. We have performed a molecular genetic study of single nucleotide polymorphisms of leptin (LEP) G2548A (rs7799039), leptin receptor (LEPR) A668G (rs1137101) and adiponectin type two receptor (ADIPOR2) G795A (rs16928751) genes.
 Results. The staff of the main group revealed a higher level of leptin (8.1 (3.7; 14.4) ng/ml) relative to the same indicator in the control group (6.0 (4.1; 11.1) ng/ml), p<0.028. Levels of leptin and adiponectin moderately and weakly correlate with hormonal and metabolic parameters. In the group of employees with less than 10 years of experience, a higher level of adiponectin was established compared to the group with 11–20 years of experience (6.1 (4.6; 9.1) mcg/ml and 4.5 (3.6; 6.4) mcg/ml, respectively); with an increase in work experience of more than 20 years, a significant increase in the concentration of leptin was found (p<0.05). Scientists have identified the significance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the LEPR, LEP, ADIPOR2 genes in the development of abdominal obesity, an increase in cholesterol levels and a decrease in the level of total testosterone in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency.
 Limitations. The study is limited to the number of surveyed (144 employees).
 Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the relationship of biochemical and molecular genetic markers of adipokine metabolism with indicators of hormonal and metabolic disorders in employees exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency. When examining workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency, the use of clinical and laboratory markers of adipokine metabolism (biochemical, molecular genetic) is informative in a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk.
 Ethics. The work complies with ethical standards developed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association "Ethical Principles of conducting Scientific medical research with human participation" as amended in 2000 and the "Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation" approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 200n dated 01.04.2016. Informed consent to participate in the study was received from each of the surveyed, approved in accordance with the established procedure by the local ethics committee of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (minutes of the meeting of the Ethics committee of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health No. 4 dated 12/25/2013).