THE INFLUENCE OF PROLONGED STRESS ON THE ACTIVITY OF BLOOD ENZYMES IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR IN UKRAINE
Authors: Tokmenko I. I. , Malyshevska G.I. , Posternak N. O. 
Published: July 2023

The article presents an analysis of scientific works on the effect of long-term stress on blood enzymes. It has been determined that enzymopathies include a wide range of diseases, the cause of which is a malfunction of enzymes. Understanding the mechanisms of the occurrence of such disorders is necessary for the search for new, effective methods of their treatment. In the course of the work, twenty scientific works in English, published in the period 2000-2021, were analyzed, which investigated the mechanisms of human enzyme disorders. It has been established that non-genetic factors, such as injuries or stress, can lead to enzyme malfunctions. Stress factors, such as physical injuries, can affect enzyme dysfunction. One of the ways in which stress affects the functioning of enzymes is a change in their activity in biochemical mechanisms. Mutations in the three-dimensional structure of enzymes are one of the main mechanisms underlying the disruption of enzyme activity under the influence of stress. Since enzymes are large proteins that often have a complex tertiary structure that is important for their functioning, mutations that affect this structure can change their catalytic activity, substrate specificity, and stability, leading to enzymopathies. The stress factor of war is not similar to everyday stress factors, because it exceeds a person's ability to adapt to the action of the stress factor. The results of the research and analysis of research indicate the significant role of stress in disrupting the work of antioxidant blood enzymes. As a result of the analysis of scientific research, it was established that these enzymes include superoxidedismutase, catalase, glutathioneperoxidase, and glutathionetransferase.

Superoxidedismutase is an antioxidant enzyme that plays a crucial role in protecting cells from the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species. ROS are produced during normal cellular metabolism and can also be produced in response to stressful conditions. A decrease in the activity of superoxidedismutase in the erythrocytes of combatants may occur due to epigenetic changes in the regulation of this enzyme, which were caused by long-term stressful conditions.

Catalase is another antioxidant enzyme that plays an important role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Another possible cause may be a change in the expression of the genes that code for catalase, which leads to a decrease in the level of the enzyme.

Glutathioneperoxidase is an antioxidant enzyme that helps protect cells from oxidative stress by catalyzing the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides to less harmful compounds. Stressful conditions, in particular combat operations, can lead to an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species and a decrease in antioxidant defense mechanisms, including glutathioneperoxidase.

Glutathionetransferase catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione, a tripeptide consisting of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, with electrophilic substrates, resulting in the formation of less reactive and more water-soluble products that are suitable for excretion. Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to depletion of glutathione and a decrease in the activity of this enzyme.

The obtained results indicate that wartime conditions can be a significant factor in the development of disorders of these enzymes.