The aim of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of hair content of toxic metal in foreign students originating from different regions.Material and methods. An examination of first-year students of the RUDN University originating from Russia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America was performed in the study. Assessment of hair aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and tin (Sn) content was undertaken using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results. The obtained data demonstrate that the highest levels of Al, Cd, and Pb were observed in students originating from Africa and Latin America. The most prominent mercury accumulation was detected in subjects from Latin America. In turn, hair As content in foreign students from all regions exceeded the respective Russian values by a factor of more than two. No significant group difference in hair tin content was observed. In regression models, prior habitation in Asia, Africa, and Latin America is considered as a significant predictor of elevated hair Hg content. African origin was also associated with higher Pb levels in hair. In the case of cadmium, a direct relationship between prior habitation in Latin America tended to be significant.Conclusion. The obtained data revealed increased accumulation of toxic metals, especially, Hg, Pb, and Cd in the hair of foreign first-year students originating from Africa and Latin America, that may have a significant adverse effect on health and educational performance. At the same time, further studies aimed at investigating the particular contribution of toxic metal overload to health effects in RUDN University students are required.

The objective of the study is investigation of the impact of magnesium on psycho-emotional stress and functional activity of the cardiovascular system in foreign male students of African origin. A total of 33 male first course students were involved in the study. The examinees were supplemented with 150 mg/day of magnesium. Evaluation of serum and urinary Mg levels was performed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry, whereas functional activity of the cardiovascular system and psycho-emotional stress were assessed using Angioscan-01 diagnostic complex both before and after a course of magnesium supplementation. It has been demonstrated that magnesium supplementation resulted in a significant 3% increase in serum Mg levels as compared to baseline. The observed increase in circulating magnesium levels was associated with a significant 26% decrease in stress index, whereas arterial stiffness index significantly reduced by 3%. A significant increase in absolute systole duration and time from the start of the pulse wave to a maximum of the early systolic wave was also observed. The results of the study demonstrate a significant decrease in stress index and arterial stiffness in response to magnesium intake, being in agreement with the existing data on protective effects of magnesium. Therefore, monitoring of magnesium supply and its improvement may be considered as a valuable tool supporting somatic and psychic health of students thus improving their academic performance.