Hair Toxic Trace Elements of Residents across the Caspian Oil and Gas Region of Kazakhstan: Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between the content of toxic trace elements, such as aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb), in the hair of the adult population of western Kazakhstan and the distance of their residence from oil and gas fields. The cross-sectional study included 850 adults aged 18-60 years. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure the level of Al, As, Be, Cd, Hg, and Pb in hair. The relationship between the concentration of toxic trace elements in the hair and the distance from oil and gas fields was assessed in three groups (<16 km, 16-110 km, and >110 km), using multiple linear regression analysis. The highest concentration of Hg = 0.338 µg/g was determined in the group living near oil and gas fields (0-16 km), whereas the lowest concentration of Al = 3.127 µg/g and As = 0.028 µg/g was determined in participants living at a long distance (more than 110 km) (p < 0.001). The concentration of Al (-0.126 (CI: -0.174; -0.077)), Hg (-0.065 (CI: -0.129; -0.001)), and Pb (0.111 (CI: 0.045; 0.177)) is associated with the distance to oil and gas fields. The obtained data indicate a change in the toxic trace element content in the hair of residents in the Caspian region of western Kazakhstan, a change that is most pronounced in residents living in the zone of oil and gas pollution. The distance to the oil and gas fields affects the content of toxic elements in scalp hair. In particular, the concentration of Al and Hg is associated with a decrease in the distance to oil and gas fields, while the concentration of Pb is associated with an increase in the distance to these fields. The lowest content of Al and As was determined in the hair of study participants living in the most remote areas (more than 110 km from oil and gas fields). Our results demonstrate the need for the biomonitoring of toxic elements to determine long-term temporal trends in the impact of chemicals on public health in western Kazakhstan.

Effects of metformin on lymphocyte DNA damage in obese individuals among Kazakh population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The global obesity epidemic is growing worldwide and its further growth is expected in the future. In obesity, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokines is normally observed, which damage the genetic material. The purpose of this study was to assess lymphocyte DNA damage before and after metformin use in obese individuals. NOVELTY: The novelty of the article is that for the first time DNA damage in lymphocytes before and after the use of metformin in obese individuals among Kazakh population was studied. METHODS: Indirect immunofluorescence analysis using the AKLIDES apparatus was used for the quantitative determination of phosphorylated γ-H2AX (Ser 139) and 53BP1 in order to analyze DNA breaks in the lymphocytes. RESULTS: The data indicating premature cell aging in the visceral adipose tissue in obese individuals were obtained. An increased hypoxia was observed in combination with an increase in γ-H2AX foci. DNA damage monitoring may become an important part of clinical studies of obesity. Advanced methods to diagnose obesity with early detection of precancerous changes imply a personalized approach, which is ineffective without data from genomic studies. CONCLUSION: This study showed that metformin at a dose of 850 mg/day for 3 months for the treatment of obesity (BMI more than 30 kg/m2) resulted in a decrease in DNA breaks in the lymphocytes.

The relationship of double-stranded DNA breaks in blood lymphocytes and obesity without carbohydrate metabolism disorder.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body mass index on DNA damage of lymphocytes in obese patients without carbohydrate metabolism disorder in the Kazakh population. Research design is based on a single-stage descriptive study. The sample included 239 patients aged 18-60 years. Among the participants, people with chronic decompensated diseases, with bad habits (smokers, drug users, drinkers) were excluded. Special attention was paid to the exclusion of diabetes mellitus to exclude the effect of hyperglycemia on DNA damage when forming the sample according to WHO criteria. The following were estimated: the diameter of the breaks (Foci dia, µm), the average number of γ-H2AX (n) foci detected per cell. The study of DNA damage of blood lymphocytes in individuals of the Kazakh population showed high rates of DSB with a BMI over 40 kg/m2. The number of breaks per cell in women is significantly higher than in men (p = 0.004). The median test revealed a significant difference in the number of DSBs between different age groups (χ2 = 10.39, p = 0.0155). Obesity is now gaining momentum, so the study of the effect of body mass index on lymphocyte DNA damage in obese patients without impaired carbohydrate metabolism gives valuable results in the treatment of this disease.