Effects of the external environment on the human body

The project aims to determine the impact of the external environment on the human body - health problems from the moment of birth to the attainment of full individual maturity of the body (up to 20 years of age). The present study will be evaluated every 3 - 4 years and will be aimed at: assessing the health status at different periods of a person's life in terms of evaluating the levels of selected elements (including micro- and macro-elements, mainly heavy metals), the antioxidant system, gene expression and cytokines in material collected from venous blood and umbilical cord blood. The study will begin with a one-time collection of one pair of blood samples - venous blood from a venous vessel and umbilical cord blood for EDTA and lithium heparin - from the mother during delivery, giving informed consent to participate in the study. In addition, a questionnaire on the impact of the external environment on the human body (including: nutrition, exposure to environmental pollutants, stimulants, x-rays, cosmetics used, etc.) and an analysis of the patient's medical records (including the course of pregnancy, labor and delivery, the health of the child) will be conducted among the study participants. It is planned to determine in the collected material of about 200 pairs of blood samples (collected in late 2015 - early 2016 at the Regional Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszow): the level of selected elements including heavy metals; genetic, epigenetic studies; the antioxidant system; vitamins involved in its metabolism and cytokines.

The material collected for the study will be periodically gathered and then subjected to: 

- evaluation of the level of selected elements, including heavy metals in venous blood plasma and cord blood plasma, then venous blood of the child until individual maturity;

-  genetic and epigenetic analysis. The plan is to use umbilical cord blood collected immediately after the baby's birth, from which DNA and RNA will then be isolated for further study. Using molecular biology techniques: PCR-RFLP or MSP-PCR, it is planned to study polymorphism and methylation of genes related to heavy metal matabolism, genes related to body weight. Current research suggests changes in the expression of certain microRNAs under the influence of toxic heavy metals, such as lead, or mercury. Their expression levels have been negatively correlated with the levels of these metals, suggesting their significant role in the course of pregnancy, as well as in pregnancy complications. The experimental results obtained in the experiments will be subjected to a detailed analysis of the relationship between selected basic parameters of the newborn, which may provide valuable information on the impact of harmful chemicals on the course of pregnancy and the subsequent development of the child.

- evaluation of oxidation-antioxidant balance on the basis of the value of total antioxidant status (TAS), activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), concentration of L-ascorbic acid and concentration of lipid peroxidation products (MDA) in relation to individual parameters of the antioxidant system and the influence of the environment (including nutrition, exposure to environmental pollutants, stimulants, cosmetics used, etc.).

- evaluation of vitamins involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids: folic acid, B vitamins and in the antioxidant system i.e. combating free radicals: vitamin A, bilirubin.

- evaluation of cytokines responsible for acute and chronic inflammation: IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17E/IL-25, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, TNF.

- the aforementioned collected and studied material will be subjected to correlation of test results with parameters obtained from obstetric-gynecological records, results of anthropometric measurements, data obtained from family history conducted every 3-4 years, parameters resulting from the assessment of clinical condition, including laboratory results, parameters of nutritional status, medications used and influence of environmental factors