Background. Earlier studies demonstrated that alcoholism signifi cantly alters electrolyte and trace element homeostasis. However, the existing data on the interplay between maternal alcohol consumption and fetal trace element status are contradictory. Therefore, the primary objective of the present study was to assess the infl uence of alcohol consumption on maternal and cord blood trace elements. Material and methods. A total of 30 pregnant women (15 women consuming alcohol and 15 controls) were examined. Assessment of electrolyte and trace elements concentration in maternal (1 and 3 trimesters) and umbilical cord blood was performed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results. In the fi rst trimester of pregnancy alcohol consumption is associated with increased whole blood Ca and Na levels. In the third trimester of pregnancy, women consuming alcohol are characterized by signifi cantly increased Co levels. Conversely, the level of Co and Mn in the cord blood of off spring maternally exposed to ethanol is decreased. A signifi cant correlation between fi rst trimester blood and cord blood concentrations of K was revealed both in control women and those consuming alcohol. In the third trimester of pregnancy in the control women, a signifi cant correlation with cord blood was detected for Fe, Mg, P, and Pb. Oppositely, in the third trimester in women consuming alcohol we detected a close association between maternal whole blood and cord blood levels for Ca, Cd, and Pb. Conclusion. The data obtained demonstrate that maternal alcohol consumption results in fetal Co and Mn defi ciency.

The results of research of some psychological and psychophysiological indicators of students of various social groups (orphan students and students from usual families) in the course of adaptation to university training have been presented. Assessment of psychophysiological parameters was carried out with application of the standardized, approved techniques (A. Bass and A. Darki's technique adapted by A. K. Osnitsky: attention assessment, a test for noise stability). The conducted research has revealed reliable differences in psychophysiological characteristics of the students from various social groups. "Verbal aggression", "sense of guilt" and "the aggression index" were significantly lower (by 10.0; 25.0 and 4.5 % respectively) in the orphan students in comparison with the girls from the usual families. Psychophysiological tests "Attention assessment" and "Noise stability" have revealed a low degree of noise stability in the examined girls of both groups. "Physical" and "indirect aggression" were significantly higher in the orphan students. The test "Noise stability" has identified lower indicators of response time in the orphan students (by 7 %) and the system lower functional level (by 8 %). The correlation analysis has shown the nature of the interrelation of noise stability and the students' individual and psychological features. The received results demonstrate the necessity of the students' adaptation processes monitoring for timely arrangement of medical-preventive actions.

The research presents element composition of residents hair in the Orenburg region (n = 1 748) aged 8 to 65 years by methods ICP-AS and ICP-MS. Own results on the content of chemical elements in hair compared with centile intervals ( 25-75) obtained during population studies in different regions of Russia . There was a reduction of 25-75 centiles values for selenium, cobalt, chromium from 2 to 5 times in comparison with the average Russian values. It is not found a distinct effect the region of residence centile on values of toxic elements - cadmium, lead and tin. A lot of the examined observables excess magnesium, silicon and lithium. The obtained results are recommended for evaluation of the elemental composition of hair residents Orenburg region.

Morphological changes and element status in laboratory animals under the influence of ethanol and cadmium were studied. Male Wistar rats were under investigation. Experimental animals received standard diet and in addition 15% ethanol solution and cadmium sulfate orally. Histologic and morphometric studies were done. Routine Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin stain for renal histological sections was used. Ocular micrometer МОВ-1-15х1500 and software "Test Morpho 4.0" were used for investigation of histological and cytological structures of kidneys. Digital images were produced by microscope "Micros" (Austria).The methods of inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy and atomic emission spectroscopy (Optima 2000 DV and ELAN 9000, PerkinElmer, USA) were used for the elemental study of samples.The combined effect of ethanol and cadmium sulfate caused renal damage which was confirmed morphologically. It was found that 65% nephrons were exposed to destruction with microinfarctions. Volume of 80% renal corpuscles was reduced, but volume of nephrocytes was extended at all levels of nephron. Cavities of the renal tubule were extended in the area of Henle's loop. In addition to kidney damage the concentrations of Mg, P, As, Fe, Cu, Si, Zn were decreased and Cd concentration was increased in the blood of laboratory animals, who were exposed to ethanol and cadmium. The concentration of cadmium was 86 times (p ≤ 0,001) higher and the concentration of lead was 25 times (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the hair of animals from the experimental group than in the hair of animals from the control group.