TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE (MOSCOW)
2016, 17(1): 19-23
ORIGINAL PAPERS

INTERETHNIC FEATURES OF ELEMENTAL STATUS OF INDIGENOUS SMALL-NUMBERED PEOPLES OF THE NORTH

N.V. Pokhilyuk, A.L. Gorbachev

North-East State University, Portovaya str. 13, Magadan, 685000, Russia

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2016-17-1-19-23 

ABSTRACТ. The article describes elemental status of the indigenous peoples of the North (Evens, Koryaks, Chukchi), who live on the territory of the Magadan region. Content of chemical elements in hair was determined by atomic-emission and mass-spectrometric analysis with inductively coupled plasma. Data on the content of K, Na, Cr, I, Si, Sn, Pb, Cd were taken for analysis. The studied groups of indigenous peoples of the North had marked peculiarities of mineral metabolism. There was a tendency to the accumulation of some chemical elements in hair found in Evens in comparison with the Koryaks and Chukchi. Accumulation of chromium probably ensures the resistance of the Evens to the development of deficiency states and associated pathological processes. Excessive accumulation of silicon in hair of the investigated Evens is consistent with evidence that the inhabitants of the Magadan region have elevated concentration of silicon, and can indicate predisposition to pathologies like urolithiasis, allergy, tumors or autoimmune diseases. The content of silicon in the Koryaks and Chukchi was within the reference values. The combined deviations in electrolytes (sodium and potassium) in Evens, Koryaks and Chukchi reflect a tension of adaptation mechanisms under the action of stress factors, probably because of changing the usual way of life. Low amount of toxic elements (tin, lead and cadmium) in hair of the indigenous peoples compared with the reference values indicates a favorable ecological situation in the region.

KEYWORDS: indigenous peoples of the North, element status, adaptation.