Age-related changes in carbohydrate metabolism and content of adrenal hormones in Arctic residents

The adaptation of Arctic residents body due to changes in their lifestyle and diet is accompanied by the development of a stress reaction, which leads to significant transformations of the neuroendocrine pathways, including the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis, which affects carbohydrate metabolism and is associated with age. Currently, the effect of changes in the sympathoadrenal system and glucocorticoid function on carbohydrate metabolism in Arctic residents, considering age, has not been fully studied. Aim of the study was to determine the concentration of glucose and its derivatives, as well as adrenal hormones (adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol), depending on the place of residence and age of people living in the Arctic. Material and methods. The material for the study was samples obtained from individuals aged 16−21, 22−35, 36−45, 46−60, and 61−74 years old living in the Subarctic and Arctic regions, which differ in the extremes of natural and climatogeographic living conditions. The total number of people surveyed was 1180, of whom 531 were residents of the Subarctic region and 649 – of the Arctic region. The levels of adrenaline and norepinephrine in morning urine were determined by fluorometry, cortisol content in blood serum – by enzyme immunoassay, glucose, lactate and pyruvate concentrations – by spectrophotometry, and the values of norepinephrine/adrenaline, cortisol/ adrenaline, cortisol/norepinephrine, lactate/pyruvate were calculated. Results and discussion. Starting from the age of 46-60 in the Subarctic and from the age of 36−45 in the Arctic, an increase in the activity of the sympathoadrenal system (adrenaline, norepinephrine) and a decrease in glucocorticoid function (cortisol) is associated with an increase in blood glucose concentration and increased anaerobic glycolysis. Conclusions. Among northerners, especially in the Arctic region, the content of glucose and its metabolites depends on age and region of residence, as well as on the reactivity of individual links of the neuroendocrine system (cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine).