The Influence of the War Factor on Age Changes in the Subpopulation Structure of Leucocytes as a Component of Inflammaging in the Groups of Military Personnel and Clean-Up Workers of the Chornobyl Accident

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the subpopulation structure of peripheral blood leukocytes as a component of inflammaging in the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and clean-up workers of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. Materials and methods. Three hundred ninety-seven males aged 30–82 (54.99 ± 8.85) years examined. Among them: clean-up workers of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, aged 54–64 (59.95 ± 1.88) years, who were examined before the beginning and during the Russian military invasion of Ukraine; 24 civilians of the control group, aged 50–77 (58.87 ± 7.18) years and 15 persons of the age control group, aged 42–49 (46.00 ± 2.26) years, who examined before the war has started; the comparison group–W – 27 civilians (age: 51–82 (65.44 ± 9.13)) and the age control group–W – 14 civilians (age: 31–49 (40.64 ± 5.59)) who examined after the war has started; 73 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine aged 30–49 (42.20 ± 5.35) years and 54 servicemen aged 50–59 (54.07 ± 2.86) years. The subpopulation distribution of peripheral blood leukocytes was analyzed using flow cytometry. Results. A decrease in the relative number of CD45+14- granulocytes, CD3+HLA-DR+ T-lymphocytes, and CD3-57+ NK against the background of an increase in the number of CD45+14+ monocytes, CD3-HLA-DR+ B-lymphocytes found in the majority of people in the examination groups, the study of which conducted after the beginning of the war, CD4+ T-lymphocytes and CD3+57+ NKT. The relative number of CD45+14- granulocytes increased against the background of a decrease in CD45+14- lymphocytes was noted in clean-up workers who were examined before the war started. About 30% of civilians over 50 years of age who were examined before the war started had a decrease in CD19+ B- lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, CD3-57+ NK, CD3+57+ NKT, and the CD4+ / CD8+ ratio. Conducted correlation analysis revealed a weak to moderate inverse correlation between the relative number of CD19+ B-lymphocytes and age in civilians, regardless of when they were examined, and the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Inverse correlations of HLA-DR+ B-lymphocytes, CD45+14+ monocytes, CD4+ T-lymphocytes, CD4+ / CD8+ ratio, and CD3-57+ NK and CD3+57+ NKT with age were noted in civilians who were examined after the war has started. A direct correlation between CD3+57+ NKT and age was found in the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Conclusions. The immunological profile of both clean-up workers in the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or civilians was similar compared to the group with reference indicators. An intergroup study revealed changes in the subpopulation distribution of peripheral blood leukocytes, which may be associated with both aging and changes in living conditions during military operations. Specific changes in cellular immunity can either tip the balance towards inflammaging or indicate already existing immunopathological reactions. Key words: ionizing radiation, Chornobyl, clean-up workers of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, military servicemen, war, immune system, inflammaging, stress.