STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL BONE FEATURES IN CHILDREN RESIDING IN THE RADIOLOGICALLY CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES OF UKRAINE
Authors:   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Bazyka D. A. , Bruslova K. M. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Lyashenko L. O. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Bakalinska S. M. ,   Consultative and Diagnostic Pediatric Center of Kyiv City Darnytsky district, Havrylenko T. P. ,   Consultative and Diagnostic Pediatric Center of Kyiv City Darnytsky district, Rodina Z. M. ,   Consultative and Diagnostic Pediatric Center of Kyiv City Darnytsky district, Pushkariova T. I. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Tsvetkova N. M. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Kondrashova V. G. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Zaytseva A.L. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Gonchar L. O. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Pysmennyi V. D. ,   O. O. Bogomolets Memorial National Medical University, Trykhlib I. V. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Boyarskyi V. G. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Pleskach J. Y. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Ivanova O. M. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Gorbachov S. G. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Chernysh T. O. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine»
Published: December 2024

Objective. Evaluation of structural features and metabolic/biochemical abnormalities of the bone tissue and relevant regulation patterns in children, residing in the radiologically contaminated territories (RCT).
Materials and methods. Children (n = 148) aged 7 to 18 years old were involved in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) is given in 3 grades according to the mean square deviation values, namely Grade I – standard (n = 75), Grade II – reduced (n = 45) and Grade III – very low one (n = 28). Cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, cancer and endocrine diseases, as well as bone fractures in the family members of children were taken into account. Bone fractures in the history and jaw anomalies were evaluated in study participants. A spectrum of blood biochemical parameters, namely the serum content of total protein, alkaline phosphatase (APh), serum iron (SI), creatinine, calcium, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and cortisol both with urine content of amino acids were assayed. Radiation doses in study participants were calculated.
Results. Abnormalities of the bone organic component were diagnosed according to the reduced serum level of creatinine, decreased urine levels of glycine and lysine, and increased urine content of oxyproline. A direct relationship was established between the urine level of oxyproline and serum TSH content (r = 0.42; p < 0.05). Abnormalities in the bone mineral component were accompanied by calcium deficiency, increased serum content of APh and decreased BMD. A direct relationship was established between the serum levels of calcium and APh (r = 0.33) and an inverse one between the APh serum content and BMD (r = -0.60) (р < 0.05). An inverse relationships were established between the serum vitamin D content and APh activity (r = -0.34), between the serum levels of vitamin D and SI (r = -0.35) (р < 0.05). Incidence and patterns of the abnormal parameters depending on BMD grades were established. Biochemical parameters reflecting the state of bone organic and mineral components both with the level of serum iron and hormonal regulation of bone formation were ranked. Individual radiation doses of children were (0.66 ± 0.04) mSv being not correlated with any other studied parameters.
Conclusions. Evaluation of the structural and functional components of bone tissue sheds light on the mechanisms of bone formation processes, metabolism of biochemical cascade, and regulatory pathways aiming the timely correction of abnormalities.
Key words: children, bone organic and mineral components, serum iron, thyroid system, cortisol, radiation doses.