Folate cycle genes, hyperhomocysteinemia, and stress response in children living near the Chernobyl exclusion zone
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32402/dovkil2025.04.062Keywords:
homocysteine, Cortisol, stress response, folate cycle genes, children, Chernobyl Еxclusion ZoneAbstract
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and cortisol (Cortisol), depending on the state of genetic polymorphisms of the folate cycle, in children living near the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) 30 or more years after the Chernobyl accident. Research methods. Immunochemical, mathematical and statistical. Results. A correlation analysis was conducted between the studied indicators in a group of 158 children (78 boys and 80 girls), aged 12-18 years, permanently residing in populated areas of the Polessky district of the Kyiv region. The participation of Hcy and genetic polymorphisms of folate cycle (FC) in the regulation of the content of the stress hormone Cortisol in the blood was revealed. In the group of girls, a connection was established between Hcy, Cortisol, and the GMTR:2756 allele, which significantly affects the process of Hcy methylation. In the blood of girls carriers of the GMTR:2756 allele, which negatively affects the activity of B12 dependent methionine synthase, the content of Cortisol in the blood is increased, in comparison with girls without this allele in the genome. The concentration of Cortisol in the blood of girls in the subgroups with the genetic alleles GMTR:2756, AMTHFR:1298, CMTHFR:677, GMTRR:66 and the general group, with the level of Hcy > 10.0 μmol/l, was statistically higher than with the level of Hcy ≤ 10.0 μmol/l. At the same time, the proportion of cases with the allele GMTR:2756 was more. A direct correlation between the values of Hcy and Cortisol in the blood was noted in the subgroups with the genetic alleles GMTR:2756, AMTHFR:1298 and in the general group of girls, whereas among boys this relationship was recorded only in the subgroup with the TMTHFR:677 allele. Conclusions. Radiation exposure induces metabolic stress in the bodies of children living near the ChEZ, which, like mutations in the FC genes, causes an increase in the Hcy content in the blood. With moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, the antioxidant system is activated, one of the elements of which is Cortisol. In this regard, Hcy should be considered as a factor in stabilizing metabolic processes when exposed to incorporated 137Cs.Downloads
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