A.A. Tinkov – Ph.D. (Med.), Yaroslavl State University; 

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University) E-mail: tinkov.a.a@gmail.com

Statement of the problem. Alteration of metal-ligand homeostasis is associated with development of obesity and associated metabolic disturbances, although the particular patterns of such alterations are insufficiently studied.

Aim of the work – to assess characteristic patterns of hair essential and toxic element content in adults in relation to increased body mass index (BMI). A total of 556 men and 754 women aged 20-60 y.o. were examined. Assessment of hair trace element content was performed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry.

Results. The obtained data demonstrate that only hair selenium (Se)(p = 0.006) and especially zinc (Zn)(p < <0.001) were characterized by a significant BMI-related increase. Particularly, hair Zn content in overweight and obese adults exceeded that in low- and normal-weight subjects by 16% and 8%, and 20% and 11%, respectively. At the same time, increased BMI was associated with a significant (p<0,01) elevation of hair arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), tin (Pb), and especially mercury (Hg) content. Hair Hg content in overweight and obese subjects exceeded that in normal-weight adults by 33% and 51%. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that only hair As, Hg, Pb, Sn, and Zn levels were significantly associated with BMI. Principal component (PC) analysis (PCA) demonstrated that PC1 and PC2 being responsible for 57% BMI variability contained values on hair Pb and As, and Sn and Hg content, respectively.

Practical significance. The obtained data demonstrate increased risk of obesity under conditions of toxic metal overexposure, whereas adequate zinc supply may possess protective effect, that may be used as targets of preventive strategies.  

Tinkov A.A. Assessment of patterns of hair essential and toxic trace elements content in overweight and obese adults. Technologies of living systems. 2020. V. 17. № 2. P. 31–38. DOI: 10.18127/j20700997-202002-03 (In Russian).

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