TRANSGENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF FAMINE IN DIFFERENT PERIODS OF EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Objective: The impact of famine during early stages of development can be transmitted across generations and change susceptibility of chronic cardiometabolic diseases. The study aims to assess possible association of famine during early stages of ancestors’ lives with remote cardiometabolic and behavioral patterns across generations of their descendants. Design and method: The besieged Leningrad residents at different ages were exposed to famine during prolonged period of time (8 September 1941–27 January 1944) during World War II. 309 Leningrad survivors were examined in 2007-2008 and divided into three groups depending on the period of exposure to famine: the children group – participants born before 01.01.1941, the infant group – respondents born between 01.01.1941 and 31.10.1941, and the intrauterine group – those born between 01.11.1941 and 27.01.1943. In 2020-2021 87 descendants of Leningrad Siege survivors aged 18 to 63 years without cardiovascular complications were examined. Examination included questionnaires, anthropometry, blood pressure measurement and biochemical blood tests. Mathematical and statistical data analysis was implemented using the R-4.0 programming language. ANOVA test was used to analyze differences between groups. Results: The descendants of Leningrad Siege survivors who experienced famine during intrauterine development demonstrated significantly lower triglyceride levels and prevalence of abdominal obesity, hypertension, in comparison to respondents whose ancestors experienced famine in childhood. Descendants of Leningrad Siege survivors, whose ancestors faced famine during the intrauterine period, were more likely to be non-smokers compared to other participants (Table 1). Table 1. Cardiometabolic and behavioral risk factors in descendants of Leningrad Siege survivors according to the period of ancestral famine exposure. Conclusions: The impact of famine during the intrauterine period may exacerbate selection bias resulting in higher survival rate for individuals with favorable risk factor profiles, including non-smoking attitude (Agreement No. 075-15-2022-301).