Abstract
Even a lot of studies before there is no clear evidence regarding long-term effects of radiation-induced heritable risks of adult-onset multifactorial diseases in humans, although it is important from the standpoint of protection and management of populations exposed to radiation. Purpose The aim of the study was to assess whether parental exposure to radiation influence to an increased risk of disorders in the autonomic regulation and lipid metabolism in the first-generation offspring (F1) of parents exposed by doses 250 mSv> as a result of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site. Methods 595 F1 patients with hypertension aged 35 ± 10 years, and 430 non-exposed residents with hypertension which arrived on these territories after closing of nuclear testing in 1990 and living there > 5 years matched for age and gender were studied. It was performed correlation analysis of radiation doses, rates of lipid metabolism and heart rate variability (HRV) in F1, and control group. Results In the studied group disorders of lipid metabolism were registered in 50.5 %, versus 31.1 % in control group (р < 0.01). Hyperhomocysteinemia was found in 52.4 % of the people included to studied group versus 29.5 % in the control group; increased level of triglycerides in 48.3 % and 31.3 % respectively; increased level of low-density lipoproteins in 50.9 % and 32.6 % respectively (р < 0.01; 0.01; 0.01). The strongest correlation with radiation dose in the studied group was found for the rates of standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN, mc) which characterize the efficiency of autonomic regulation (r = 0.726, р < 0.01), low-frequency waves (LF, ms2/Hz) (r = 0,523, р < 0.01), and total disorders of vegetative regulation (r = 0.623, р < 0.01). Strong and medium correlation was found for separate indicators of lipid metabolism and hyperlipidemia in general (r = 0.483, р < 0.01). Conclusions Disorders of vegetative regulation and lipid metabolism play important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in the offspring of people exposed to radiation and may lead to premature development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Key messages The indicators for prediction of hypertension development could be used in the system of monitoring of exposed to radiation people and their offspring Their measurement has to be used in regular screening of cardiovascular diseases