CHARACTERISTICS OF FOLATE AND HOMOCYSTEINE METABOLISM IN THE INDIGENOUS ETHNIC GROUPS OF THE RUSSIAN FAR NORTH

Rapidly increasing industrial activities in the Arctic and changes in the climate and environmental conditions in the Far North negatively impact the traditional way of life and health of the indigenous peoples of the North – the Nenets. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of nutritional status and smoking on folate and homocysteine metabolism in ethnic Nenets permanently residing on Vaygach Island. Materials and Methods. The study includes 48 healthy ethnic Nenets at the age of 18 years and older. The participants were surveyed and enzyme immunoassays were used to determine serum folate and homocysteine levels. To assess the effect of smoking on folate and homocysteine levels, the trial participants were divided into two groups: smokers and nonsmokers. Statistical data processing was performed using R 4.2.3 and Rstudio 1.2.5019. Results. According to the questionnaire, all trial subjects rarely ate fruit and vegetables, 62.5 % of the respondents drank alcohol, 73 % were tobacco smokers. Significant folate deficiency was noted in 75 % of the participants, and hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in all trial subjects. It was noted, that folate and homocysteine levels smokers were statistically significantly higher than in nonsmokers. Conclusion. The majority of the indigenous population of Vaygach Island demonstrated a pronounced folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia. The effect of tobacco smoking on folate and homocysteine metabolism was proved.