Approaches to Identifying Markers of Effect of Environment and Nutrition in Preschoolers

Abstract

Background: Identification of the markers of effect of environment and nutrition on the human body, given their interplay, remains relevant for health risk assessment. Objective: To identify markers of children’s health effects of environmental exposures and nutrition with account for their mutual influences. Materials and methods: The study involved 197 preschool children living in two towns of the Sverdlovsk Region with different levels of environmental pollution. In January 2022 to June 2024, we tested mass concentrations of 19 metals, cytogenetic parameters of buccal epithelium, interleukins (IL-1, IL-4), glutathione-S-transferase, and 60 organic acids in urine of the subjects. We also evaluated the preschool menu and off-school nutrition, anthropometric parameters, morbidity based on outpatient cards, and health status using a questionnaire-based survey. Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS were used for statistical data analysis. Results: We established that in the children living in the territory with high airborne risks, the levels of exposure to seven chemicals exceeded the reference values, especially those of aluminum and manganese by 3.9 and 2.5 times, respectively. Cytogenetic damage to buccal epithelial cells, higher values of markers of allergic reactions (IL 4), higher values of glutathione-S-transfer and organic acids, and markers of detoxification were also more frequent in this group (p < 0.001). We noted that the diet of children was deficient in vitamins B1 and C, calcium, and, judging by the markers of organic acids, essential amino acids and vitamins B9 and B12. The exposed children differed from the controls in high exposure to arsenic, mercury, and copper; there was also a larger proportion (85 %) of children with cells with micronuclei and atypical nuclei, high concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (IL 1), energy and protein deficiencies, excess sugars in the diet, and markers of energy metabolism disorders among them. Conclusions: The identified markers of two non-adaptive metabolotypes to environmental exposure and nutritional phenotypes will allow a differentiated approach to developing diets.