Zinc supply of the population of Ukraine: consequences for health and reproduction

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is one of the most biologically significant essential metals, performing signal, adaptive, metabolic, structural, protective, restorative and other physiological functions in the human and animal. Zn homeostasis and functional activity are maintained with the participation of a wide range of epigenetic factors (natural and anthropogenic geobiospheric, alimentary, industrial, social and economic), which are formed in specific regional conditions of the population's life. Despite the longterm study of this problem and a large number of publications, many of its aspects remain insufficiently studied, especially in critical epidemiological situations. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to compare the epidemiological indicators of zinc content in biosubstrates of the inhabitants of Ukraine in the period 2008–2019. (before the COVID-19 pandemic) and in the period 2020–2021 (during the pandemic) for use in therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in the future. The zinc content in blood, hair and urine of 1819 people aged 17–67 years (average age 37 years, men 673, women 1146) was determined using the EMAS-200 CCD atomic emission spectrometer in the period from 2008 to 2021. The results were statistically processed by nonparametric methods. The obtained results showed a generally satisfactory supply of Zn for the population of Ukraine at the regional level with a tendency to limit the size of the cohort of the surveyed with significant deviations. At the same time, attention is drawn to the indicators that indicate a decrease in the general physiological level of the body supply of the examined persons with Zn. They can be deformed due to the uncontrolled intake of zinc preparations by a part of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, further research is needed to study the mechanisms of the observed changes and to develop measures to optimize regional norms of Zn. All human studies were conducted in compliance with the rules of the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association "Ethical principles of medical research with human participation as an object of study". Informed consent was obtained from all participants.