Features of the polymorphism of the ADRB2 Arg16Gly and HTR2A (rs7997012) genes in workers at the sylvinite concentrating factory
Authors: Starkova Ksenia G. , Dolgikh Oleg V. , Kazakova Olga A. 
Published: June 2024

Introduction. The study of the mechanisms of formation of pathological changes in the health status of the able-bodied population under the influence of harmful industrial factors with the identification of potential risk groups based on individual genetic variability and regulatory markers is necessary to solve the tasks of monitoring and prevention of occupational morbidity.
The study aims to identify the features of polymorphism of the ADRB2 Arg16Gly and HTR2A (rs7997012) genes and the relationship of candidate gene genotypes with the expression of adrenaline and serotonin in workers of the sylvinite concentrating factory.
Materials and methods. Scientists examined 68 workers whose working conditions were determined by the increased concentration of potassium chloride dust, the severity of the labor process and the presence of extreme hydrocarbons in the air of the working area. The comparison group consisted of 61 people, employees of the administrative and managerial staff. The authors investigated the presence of contaminants in biological media by gas chromatography. They assessed specific sensitization to chemical factors by the level of specific antibodies by testing for allergosorbents. The scientists studied the levels of adrenaline and serotonin using enzyme immunoassay. The authors also performed genotyping by polymerase chain reaction in real time.
Results. There was an excessive level of hexane content in biological media associated with a high level of sensitization to hexane according to the IgG criterion (6.3 times compared with the comparison group). Genetic analysis allowed us to establish a significantly increased incidence of the homozygous genotype GG ADRB2 Arg16Gly adrenal receptor in the examined group of workers (OR=2.78; 95% CI=1.20–6.45) compared with the comparison group (2.2 times). The analysis of the adrenaline content revealed a significant decrease in its concentration associated with the homozygous genotype GG ADRB2 Arg16Gly in the examined workers by 2.2 times. There are significant intergroup differences in the frequency of polymorphism of the serotonin receptor HTR2A gene (rs7997012) with an increase in the prevalence of the AA genotype by 1.8 times (OR=2.64; 95% CI=1.02–6.84). The revealed genetic variability was combined with a 1.6-fold decrease in serotonin levels in the observation group with variations of AG and GG genotypes HTR2A (rs7997012).
Conclusion. Polymorphic variants of the ADRB2 Arg16Gly and HTR2A (rs7997012) genes act as markers of sensitivity of the examined group associated with changes in the regulatory factors of adrenaline and serotonin, and can be used as indicators of early diagnosis of pathological tendencies in workers under conditions of excessive industrial contamination with hexane.
Ethics. All surveyed employees signed a voluntary informed consent to participate in the study. The study was carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association (revised 2013) and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Technologies for Public Health Risk Management".