The study investigates the condition of the pituitary-adrenal axis in first-year students from different regions of Kyrgyzstan. The participants included first-year students from Naryn State University (NSU), natives of the Naryn region (elevation of 2020 m above sea level), and students from Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU), natives of the Chui region (lowland, 760 m above sea level). The research focused on analyzing cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in the blood. The findings revealed a significant increase in cortisol levels among first-year students permanently residing in lowland conditions after their first exam session, and this elevated level persisted for an extended period. Similar trends were observed in the ACTH levels of first-year students from lowland regions.

Key words: students, highland, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, stress.

Introduction. The population of Kyrgyzstan, a country known for its high-altitude regions, resides at various altitudes.  Researchers are particularly interested in high-altitude inhabitants, whose metabolic indicators show numerous changes recognized as adaptive. Approximately 32% of the population of high-altitude regions of Kyrgyzstan comprises youth aged 14-28 years. This part of the population represents the country's reproductive potential, which requires special attention (1). It is well-known that entering university entails significant stress, which has a negative impact on the young organisms of students; the changes occurring in the body lead to various functional shifts and negative consequences pertaining to the internal organs and systems of organs of the youth. Such changes aimed at facilitating rapid adaptation to changing conditions (5,6). One of the leading roles in this regard is attributed to the endocrine system. Among the key endocrine components, activation of the pituitary-adrenal axis is highlighted in this response, through which the body must respond to challenges when encountering stressors (7,8). One of the leading roles is attributed to the endocrine system. Among the main endocrine components in this response, activation of the pituitary-adrenal axis is highlighted, through which the body must respond to challenges when faced with stressors (7,8). Studies on hormones of the pituitary-adrenal system—cortisol and ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone), which participate in ensuring rapid adaptation to changing environmental conditions, have not been conducted in first-year university students in Kyrgyzstan. However, it has been previously established that this cohort shows a tendency towards decreased concentrations of major thyroid hormones and activation of pituitary thyrotropic function. It has also been found that this social group experiences changes in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, indicators of red blood cells, and hemostasis (2,3,4). Therefore, the study is relevant and timely.

Objectives: To forecast the students' health condition and develop comprehensive measures to improve it, it is crucial to assess the condition of the pituitary-adrenal axis in first-year students from various regions of Kyrgyzstan.

Methods: The first-year students were divided into two groups. The first group (71 individuals) included 30 males and 41 females, students of Naryn State University (NSU), natives of Naryn Region (2020 meters above sea level). The second group comprised 142 students of Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU), natives of Chui Region (lowlands, 760 meters above sea level), among whom were 65 males and 77 females. All individuals had their blood serum ACTH levels measured in pg/ml using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method and cortisol levels in nmol/L using the competitive solid-phase chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method on the Cobas 8000 analyzer, Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland. The research was conducted at the time of enrollment period (4 weeks after admission), before the first end-of-term exams, and at the end of the first year of study (4 weeks after the first session). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 software. In accordance with the principles of the 2008 Declaration of Helsinki, written informed consent was obtained from all study participants.

Results: The conducted comparative analysis of the secretory function of the pituitary-adrenal axis in first-year students of Group 1 differs from that of Group 2 representatives. At at the time of enrollment period, cortisol levels in females from Group 1 were significantly lower (p-value<0.05) than those in females from Group 2 by 1.4 times (Table 1).