Activity of lipid peroxidation processes and metal lipid peroxidation and serum metal levels in adolescents in regions with various degrees of man-induced load

BACKGROUND: Lipid peroxidation is a universal mechanism of biological membrane damage. The resulting malondialdehyde levels are a non-specific marker of the body's adaptive capabilities. A strong correlation between the levels of some metals and the oxidant/antioxidant balance may provide biological markers of quality of life in urban ecosystems with high man-induced load (industrial cities) versus regions with low man-induced load (rural areas).

AIM: The work aimed to assess the potential association between the urbanized environment status, lipid peroxidation levels, and serum metal levels in adolescents. This association is essential for creating a unified systems of adaptive capability markers in regions with different levels of exposure.

METHODS: The levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), strontium (Sr), and lead (Pb) were assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy in the serum of 48 adolescents residing in urban and rural areas. The height, body weight, and body surface area were measured. Serum malondialdehyde levels were assessed in apparently healthy adolescents using the thiobarbituric acid reaction. The significance of intergroup differences in malondialdehyde and metal levels was assessed, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. The significance of individual parameters was assessed using multiple regression discriminant analysis.

RESULTS: There were no significant changes in Sr levels associated with the levels of malondialdehyde or other metals. Cu levels showed significant correlations with the levels of malondialdehyde and other metals. Changes in Cu levels, though less pronounced, were consistent with changes in Fe levels. A multiple regression model found that Cu levels, together with Zn levels and body surface area, were the most significant parameters. The discriminant analysis found that Pb levels are determined by the urban ecosystem characteristics, and lipid peroxidation activity in children may vary considerably depending on the urbanized environment status and increases significantly in urban areas.

CONCLUSION: An association has been found between the degree of man-induced load, lipid peroxidation activity, and serum metal levels in children, which enables assessing the body's adaptive capabilities. Furthermore, an association has been discovered between serum malondialdehyde levels and serum zinc, iron, and copper levels. Serum malondialdehyde levels are higher in children residing in urban areas with high man-induced load. Metal–malondialdehyde associations can be used to assess the body's adaptive capabilities.