Seasonal dynamics of 25-OH vitamin D and biogenic amines in the blood of apparently healthy men living in the city of Arkhangelsk

BACKGROUND : The Arctic zone territories of the Russian Federation have the risk of developing 25-OH vitamin D deficiency, which is aggravated by low levels of insolation and nutrition low in vitamins and minerals. Along with low levels of insolation and reduced vitamin D concentrations during periods of minimal daylight hours, manifestations of seasonal affective disorder may occur, which is characterized by circadian dysregulation and monoaminergic functions of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline). The scientific challenge lies in estimating 25-OH vitamin D and biogenic amines sufficiency and detecting associative changes in 25-OH vitamin D and biogenic amines levels during various photoperiods of the year in the population of Arkhangelsk, as well as in further identification of typological variations in the intra-individual dynamics of the studied indicators depending on gender and daylight hours. AIM . The purpose is to assess the seasonal sufficiency of vitamin D and biogenic amines for apparently healthy men of working age living in the city of Arkhangelsk. METHODS . An analytical prospective uncontrolled study was conducted with the participation of 20 clinically healthy men from the city of Arkhangelsk (64°32’24.4’’N). Blood samples were collected every season (March, June, September, December) during the year with subsequent determination of the concentrations of vitamin D, serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline in the blood. Statistical analysis of endocrine parameters was performed using the Wilcoxon rank test with the Bonferroni correction. RESULT : According to the revealed annual dynamics, the concentration of 25-OH vitamin D in the blood of men who live in the city of Arkhangelsk reached a minimum level during an increase in daylight hours (March), followed by an increase in vitamin concentration in summer (June) and a maximum concentration level during a decrease in daylight hours (September). The largest percentage of people (45%) with insufficient (below 30 ng /ml) vitamin D concentration in the blood is noted during the period of increasing daylight (March), while in summer and autumn this percentage decreases to 10, and in winter no insufficient concentrations of vitamin D are detected. CONCLUSION : In terms of vitamin D concentration in the blood of men, the period of increase in daylight hours (March) is the most critical season, whereas the period of decrease in daylight hours (September) is a more favourable one. Seasonal dynamics of serotonin concentrations were associated with changes in vitamin D levels during the year. Seasonal variations of dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were similar to each other and different from the annual dynamics of vitamin D concentration in the blood.