ABSTRACT.
The oxidative metabolism system, consisting of pro- and antioxidant components, is crucial for human adaptation. In the North, a shift in the redox balance toward oxidizing agents is observed due to the addition of environmental northern stress. Lipid peroxidation is countered by the body's antioxidant defense system, which includes the bioelements selenium, zinc, copper, and magnesium. Among all workers, healthcare workers are subject to the greatest pressure of occupational stress. Objective. To study the selenium, zinc, copper, and magnesium levels in the hair of northern healthcare workers. Materials and Methods. A total of 100 physicians and nurses from the Khanty-Mansiysk District Clinical Hospital were examined: 27 men and 73 women (37,1 ± 2,5 years). Hair concentrations of Se, Zn, Cu, and Mg were determined using ICP-MS. Results. Average hair Se, Zn, Cu, and Mg concentrations were at the lower limits of normal. Se deficiency of varying degrees was detected in 48% of healthcare workers in the North, while mild Zn, Cu, and Mg deficiencies were found in 32%, 29%, and 22% of healthcare workers in the North, respectively. Increasing dietary Se, Zn, Cu, and Mg intake, combined with supplementation, is the best prevention of deficiency-related metabolic disorders. Conclusion. Increasing the content of selenium, zinc, copper, and magnesium in diets in combination with their intake in the form of dietary supplements is the best prevention of metabolic disorders associated with their deficiency.
KEYWORDS: Northern region, healthcare workers, oxidative metabolism, selenium, zinc, copper, magnesium.
For citation: Gaikov M.O. On the involvement of bioelements in the adaptation of healthcare workers to the adverse factors of high latitude. Trace elemets in medicine. 2025;26(4):5562. DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2025-26-4-55-62
REFERENCES
Bektasova M.V., Kiku P.F., Sheparev A.A. Risk factors in the process of work activity of medical workers. Far Eastern Medical Journal. 2019; 2: 73–78. DOI: 10.35177/1994-5191-2019-2-73-78. (In Russian).
Boyko E.R. (ed.) Human adaptation to environmental and social conditions of the North. Syktyvkar: Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2012: 443. (In Russian).
Bulgakova O.S., Parkhomchuk D.S., Ulyanov T.A. Emotional burnout syndrome in medical workers as a characteristic of their profession (review article). Bulletin of Psychophysiology. 2020; 1: 9–20. (In Russian).
Vodopyanova N.E., Starchenkova S. Burnout syndrome. Diagnostics and prevention. Moscow: Yurait Publishing House, 2025: 299. (In Russian).
Golubkina N.A., Korchina T.Ya., Merkulova N.N., Pesie S.A. Selenium status of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Microelements in medicine. 2005; 6(1): 2–7. (In Russian).
Dikke G.B. Elementary metabolomics and available tools for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of hypomagnesemia during pregnancy. Med. Advice. 2020; 3: 10–16. DOI: 10.21518/2079-701X-2020-3-10-16. (In Russian).
Katsurba T.V., Frantenko V.K., Golubkina N.A., Tarmaeva I.Yu. Selenium enrichment of bakery products with selenium-containing malt flour. Microelements in Medicine. 2019; 20(2): 47-54. DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2019-20-2-47-54. (In Russian).
Kerimov A.A., Alieva N.R. Diagnostic issues and the significance of magnesium levels in the human body. Biomedicine. 2016; 4: 8–12. (In Russian).
Klimenko L.L., Skalny A.V., Mazilina A.N. The role of trace elements in the etiopathogenesis of ischemic stroke: a literature review. Trace Elements in Medicine. 2023; 24(3): 31–40. DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2023-24-3-31-40. (In Russian).
Korchin V.I., Korchina T.Ya., Bikbulatova L.N., Ternikova E.M., Lapenko V.V. The influence of climatic and geographic factors of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug on population health. Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2021; 1: 77–88. DOI: 10.37482/2687-1491-Z046. (In Russian).
Korchin V.I., Bikbulatova L.N., Korchina T.Ya., Ugorelova E.A. Oxidative metabolism status in the indigenous and immigrant population of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. International Research Journal. 2021; 7(109): 106–109. DOI: 10.23670/ IRJ.2021.109.7.054. (In Russian).
Korchina T. Ya., Korchin V. I. Prognostic role of oxidative metabolism indicators and elemental status in professional drivers of motor vehicles in the Northern region. Occupational Medicine and Industrial Ecology. 2020; 60(4): 238–243. DOI: 10.31089/1026-9428-2020-60-4-238-243.
Korchina T.Ya., Korchin V.I. Relationships between elemental status and oxidative metabolism indicators in residents of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug with poor water treatment. Population Health and Environment. 2022; 30(4): 14–21. DOI: 10.35627/2219-5238/2022-30-4-14-21. (In Russian).
Kryuchkova N.Yu., Novikova I.I. Characteristics of working conditions and morbidity of mid-level medical workers: the example of Omsk. Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2025; 13(2): 205–212. DOI: 10.37482/2687-1491-Z242. (In Russian).
Maylyan D.E., Kolomiey V.V. The role of magnesium deficiency in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases: the current state of the problem. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2017; 6(146): 167–172. DOI: 10.15829/1560-4071-2017-6-167-172. (In Russian).
Pankov V.A., Kuleshova M.V. Emotional burnout of medical workers and manifestations of accentuation of character traits. Hygiene and Sanitation. 2025; 104(7): 895–900. DOI:10.47470/0016-9900-2025-104-7-895-900. (In Russian).
Patyshagulyev A. The role of oxidative stress in the disruption of cellular functions and the development of diseases. International Journal of Humanities and Natural Sciences. 2025; 1-3(100): 70–72. DOI: 10.24412/2500-1000-2025-1-3-70-72. (In Russian).
Petrukhin N.N. Occupational morbidity of healthcare workers in Russia and abroad (literature review). Hygiene and Sanitation. 2021; 100 (8): 845–850. DOI:10.33396/1728-0869-2021-24-32-100-8-845-850. (In Russian).
Pogozheva A.V., Kodentsova V.M., Sharafetdinov H.Kh. The Role of Magnesium and Potassium in Preventive and Therapeutic Nutrition. Nutrition Issues. 2022; 91(5): 29–42. DOI: 10.33029/0042-8833-2022-91-5-29-42. (In Russian).
Skalny A.V., Skalnaya M.G., Kirichuk A.A., Tinkov A.A. Medical Elementology. Moscow: RUDN University, 2021: 199. (In Russian).
Skalnaya M.G., Skalny A.V. Microelements: biological role for medical practice. Message 1. Copper. Issues of biological, medical and pharmaceutical chemistry. 2015: 1; 15–31. (In Russian).
Staroded A.S., Maidan V.A., Tsvetkov S.V. The influence of medical and geographical features of the Far North on adaptation processes. Bulletin of the Russian Military Medical Academy. 2020; 39(3): 160–163. (In Russian).
Ternikova E.M., Korchin V.I., Korchina T.Ya. Correlation of oxidative metabolism indicators and micronutrients with the antioxidant spectrum of action in elderly residents of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Medical Science and Education of the Urals. 2023; 4: 101–105. DOI: 10.36361/18148999-2022-23-4-101. (In Russian).
Frolkov V.S., Nagornev S.N., Bobrovnitsky I.P., Zhernov V.A., Zubarkina M.M. Pathophysiological mechanisms of the adverse impact of climatic and geographic factors of the Arctic on human health and technologies of restorative medicine. Physiotherapist. 2020; 1: 57. 63. (In Russian).
Khasnulin V.I., Khasnulin P.V. Modern concepts of the mechanisms of formation of northern stress in humans at high latitudes. Human ecology. 2012; 1: 3–11. (In Russian).
Sharifov M.I., Kirichuk A.A., Korchina T.Ya. The influence of northern-specific factors on the parameters of oxidative metabolism in the working-age population of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Russian Journal of Environmental and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2025; 4(1): 72–78. (In Russian).
Shikh E.V., Makhova A., Shikh A.A., Nikitin E.Yu. Social jet lag: possibilities of micronutrient support. Nutrition Issues. 2022; 9 (3): 85–95. DOI: 10.33029/0042-8833-2022-91-3-85-95. (In Russian).
Shcherbakova A.S. The climate factor in the life of northerners: objective data and subjective assessments. Human Ecology. 2019; 7: 24–32. DOI: 10.33396/1728-0869-2019-7-24-32. (In Russian).
Barbara M., Mindikoglu A.L. The role of zinc in the prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabol Open. 2021; 11: 100105. DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2021.100105.
Chasapis C.T., Ntoupa P.S., Spiliopoulou C.A., Stefanidou M.E. Recent aspects of the effects of zinc on human health. Archives of Toxicology. 2020; 94(5): 1443–1460. DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02702-9.
Choi S., Liu X., Pan Z. Zinc deficiency and cellular oxidative stress: prognostic implications in cardiovascular diseases. Acta Pharmacol. 2018; 39(7): 1120–1132. DOI: 10.1038/aps.2018.25.
Dai Q., Zhu X., Manson J.E., Song Y., Li X., Franke A.A. Magnesium status and supplementation influence vitamin D status and metabolism: results from a randomized trial. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2018; 108(6): 1249–1258. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy274.
DiNicolantonio J.J., O’Keefe J.H., Wilson W. Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open Heart. 2018; 5: e000668. DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668.
Fiorentini D., Cappadone C., Farruggia G., Prata C. Magnesium: biochemistry, nutrition, detection, and social impact of diseases linked to its deficiency. Nutrients. 2021; 13(4): 1136. DOI: 10.3390/nu13041136.
Grabeklis A.R., Skalny A.V., Mazaletskaya A.L., Skalnaya M.G., Tinkov A.A., Zhegalova I.V., Skalnaya A.A., Notova S.V. Hair mineral and trace element content in children with down's syndrome. Biological Trace Element Research. 2019; 188(1): 230–238. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1506-8.
Grover S., Sahoo S., Bhalla A., Avasthi A. Psychological problems and burnout among medical professionals of a tertiary care hospital of North India: A cross-sectional study. Indian J. Psychiatry. 2018; 60(2): 175–88. DOI: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry-254-17.
Hemmer A., Mareschal J., Dibner C., Pralong J.A., Dorribo V., Perrig S., Denton L., Pichard C., Collet T. The effects of shift work on cardio-metabolic diseases and eating patterns. Nutrients. 2021; 13(11): 4178. DOI: 10.3390/nu13114178.
Hara T., Tatsuishi H., Banno T. Copper (II) Bis(diethyldithiocarbamate) Induces the Expression of Syndecan-4, a Transmembrane Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan, via p38 MAPK Activation in Vascular Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 24(19): E3302. DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113302.
Higashi Y.A. Good time to reconsider the associations of calcium and magnesium with hypertension. Circ J. 2022; 86 (9): 1474–1475. DOI: 10.1253/circj.CJ-22-0305.
Hu X.F., Stranges S., Chan L.H.M. Circulating selenium concentration is inversely associated with the prevalence of stroke: results from the Canadian health measures survey and the national health and nutrition examination survey. J. Am. Heart Assoc. 2019; 8(10): e012290. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.119.012290.
Jursa T., Stein C.R., Smith D.R. Determinants of Hair Manganese, Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic Levels in Environmentally Exposed Children. Toxics. 2018; 6:19. DOI: 10.3390/toxics6020019.
Kostov K., Halacheva L. Role of Magnesium Deficiency in Promoting Atherosclerosis, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Arterial Stiffening as Risk Factors for Hypertension. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018; 19(6): 1724. DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061724.
Mertens K., Lowes D.A., Webster N.R., Talib J., Hall L., Davies L.J., Beattie J.H., Galley N.F. Low zinc and selenium concentration in sepsis are associated with oxidative damage and inflammation. Br J Anaesth. 2015; 114(6): 990–999. DOI: 10.1093/bja/aev073.
Prendergast C., Ketteler E., Evans G. Burnout in the Plastic Surgeon: Implications and Interventions. Aesthet Surg J. 2017; 37(3): 363–368. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjw158.
Reddy P., Edwards L.R. Magnesium supplementation in vitamin D deficiency. Am J Ther. 2019; 26(1): 124–132. DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000538.
Skalnaya M.G., Skalny A.V. Essential trace elements in human health: a physician’s view. Publishing House of Tomsk State University. Tomsk, 2018. 224 p.
Skalny A.V., Skalnaya M.G., Klimenko L.L., Mazilina A.N., Tinkov A.A. Selenium in Ischemic Stroke. Selenium. Chapter. Editors: Michalke, Bernhard (Ed.). 2018: 793.
Stroebel D., Casado M., Paoletti P. Triheteromeric NMDA receptors: from structure to synaptic physiology. Curr. Opin. Physiol. 2018; 2: 1–12. DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2017.12.004.
Yamanaka R., Shindo Y., Okak K. Magnesium is a key player in neuronal maturation and neuropathology. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019; 20(14): 3439. DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143439.
Yu R., Wang Z., Ma M., Xu P., Liu L., Tinkov A. et al. Associations between Circulating SELENOP Level and Disorders of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Meta-Analysis. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022; 11(7): 1263. DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071263.
Information about the author:
Maxim O. Gaikov – Post-graduate Student, Department of Medical and Biological Chemistry
E-mail: maxgaykov@gmail.com; http://orcid.org/0009-0000-4563-286X; SPIN: 4743-1274
Поступила 21 октября 2025 года
Принята к публикации 2 декабря 2025 года