Fatty acids composition in blood plasma and erythrocyte membranes in operators of the Vessel Traffic Control Center

Abstract

Introduction. The quantitative composition of fatty acids in blood plasma and erythrocyte membranes was studied in operators at the Vladivostok Vessel Traffic Control Center (VTCC), who during working hours are subject to the influence of electromagnetic fields (EMF) (radars and navigation devices, communication equipment), high sensory loads (perception of signals on the computer screen and their assessment). Materials and methods. A survey of 2 groups of male volunteers at the age of 35-45 years was carried out. Group 1 (control) included ten healthy donors of comparable age; Group 2 included 10 operators working at the Vessel Traffic Center, who gave informed consent to participate when undergoing a routine medical examination. Results. The effect of EMF on the body of operators was shown to be accompanied by a pronounced pattern of changes in adaptive reactions typical for exposure to acute stress. This was manifested in a decrease in the lymphocytes and eosinophils content when compared to the control values with a simultaneous increase in the intoxication index. Based on the study of the quantitative characteristics of fatty acids in blood plasma and erythrocyte membranes it was noted an increase in saturated fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic) and a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic). The change in the molecular types of phospholipids was noted to decrease in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-6 and n-3 families as a part of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Palmitoyl- and stearoyl-containing phospholipids are formed and arachidonoyl-, eicosapentanoyl- and docosahexanoyl-containing components of biomembranes decline. The composition of phospholipids includes saturated fatty acids (myristic, palmitic and stearic) and fatty acids of the n-9 family (monoenic fatty acids). Calculation of the ratio of fatty acids 20:4 n-6/18:2 n-6 showed its significant decrease in total lipids of blood plasma and erythrocyte membranes, which characterizes Δ6 and Δ5 desaturase and elongase, which leads to a lack of arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acids. Limitations. Metabolic reactions (subject), 20 examined (quantitative parameter), pilot operators (qualitative indicator), standards of the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 (moral and cultural). Conclusion. The impact of EMF on the body of operators of the VTCC in Vladivostok is accompanied by the formation of a stress reaction. Based on the research of the quantitative characteristics of fatty acids in blood plasma and erythrocyte membranes it was noted a violation of metabolic reactions in the exchange of fatty acids. This led to the appearance of new molecular types of phospholipids due to disturbances in the metabolic transformations of fatty acids.