THE EFFECTS OF ALUMINUM EXPOSURE ON IMMUNE STATUS IN CHILDREN WITH FUNCTIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM DISORDERS

Abstract

Aim To estimate the prevalence of functional cardiovascular system disorders and immunological parameters in children living in the Irkutsk Region, a technogenic region of Southern Siberia.Methods A set of clinical, laboratory and instrumental, statistical and analytical methods were used in the study. Immunological parameters and the presence of functional cardiovascular system disorders were assessed in 63 children aged 5–11 years living in the technogenic region with aluminum exposure. The study group included children (n = 31) with functional changes in the cardiovascular system. Children (n = 32) without any functional changes in the cardiovascular system were enrolled in the control group. The functional status of the cardiovascular system was evaluated with the electrocardiography and physical examination. The immune parameters were measured with the flow cytometry and enzyme allegrosorbent testing. The analytical study of the chemical changes in the biomedia induced by aluminum exposure followed the national guidelines.Results Children permanently residing in the technogenic region with aluminum exposure suffer from mild anomalies of the heart development. These anomalies are associated reliably with the diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs involving the immune mechanism. The analytical study of the chemical changes in the biomedia showed that the study group has significantly elevated aluminum levels in blood and urine. Immune alterations have been found in the study, including a significant increase in the TNFR receptor, Bcl-2 protein, Treg cell differentiation clusters (CD4+CD25+CD127-) and CD3+CD25+. A significantly increased level of specific sensitization by the IgG criterion was established.Conclusion The study reported that functional cardiovascular system disorders among children living in the technogenic region with aluminum exposure are associated with alteration in the immune system. These alterations suggest the presence of the imbalance between apoptotic regulation and the initiation of adjuvant sensitivity to man-made haptens (aluminum).