Hyperinsulinemia in children living in radionuclide-polluted areas and in Chernobyl accident liquidators

1п 1989-1990, a total of 94 children (43 boys and 51 girls) aged 2-15 years from radionuclide-polluted areas (Zones 2 to 4) divided into zones according to the level of contamination after the Chernobyl accident were examined. Obvious deviations in the children’s physical and mental development were not observed. There was a family history of diabetes mellitus (DM) (n= 1) and arterial hypertension (n - 1). Individual dosimetric data were absent. The basal levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, thyroxine, prolactin, and insulin-binding serum activity (IBSA) were determined in blood. According to the blood concentration of insulin, the children were divided into 3 groups: 1) children with normal basal levels; 2) those with not more than twice higher levels than the upper normal range; and 3) those with twice or more higher than the range (there was no correlation of the content of insulin with age, sex, the levels of glucagon, thyroxine, and IBSA). In all the groups, body-mass index (BMI), the levels of C-peptide and glucose, and IBSA were in the normal range. Group 3 children were tallest. The children from more polluted areas (Zones 2-3) had higher insulin levels. Adult victims without a family history of DM made up 2 groups. Group 1 included 119 liquidators of accident consequences (LA Cs) aged 22-48years at its moment who had been exposed to radioecological and psychogenic factors for a short space of time (not more than 3 months in Zone 1' in 1988 to early 1987) (SELACs). The basal blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon were measured at the stages of the 1988-1992follow-up. There were gradual increases in the levels of insulin and C-peptide with their peak in 1990 and subsequent decreases to normal values in 1992. Following 5-6years after the accident, the insulin test showed no hypoglycemic effect of the hormone in LACs with the normal BMI. Following 11-12 years after the accident, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGT) revealed enhanced insulin production. Group 2 comprised 78 LACs who had been exposed to radioecological and psychogenic factors in the zone of the Chernobyl atomic power station from 1986-1987 to 1993-1994) (LELACs). Of them, 16 LELACs suffered from type 2 DM within 3 years. The baseline blood concentrations of glucose and insulin were determined. The baseline level of insulin was increased, in patients with DM in particular. Thus, all the examined children and LACs were found to have hyperinsulinemia that might be directly or indirectly associated with the influence of radioecological factors of the accident and be a cause of metabolic syndrome X in both adults and children.

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