Status of inflammatory biomarkers in the population that survived the Bhopal gas tragedy: a study after two decades.
Bhopal gas tragedy is considered as one of the world's worst industrial disaster. Approximately, 3,000-6,000 people died and 200,000 injured due to the leak of 40 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from a pesticide plant. We aimed to decipher any persistent and subtle immunotoxic effects of MIC in the survivors of the tragedy. The study was divided into 3 groups i.e. group I (n=40); Age and gender matched non-exposed healthy controls recruited from places within the geographical region of Bhopal but from unaffected zones, group II (n=40); Age and gender matched non-exposed healthy controls recruited from places well outside geographical region of Bhopal and group III (n=40); Age and gender matched MIC exposed subjects from affected zones inside geographical region of Bhopal and the status of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-8, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF, IL-10, IL-12p70 cytokines and C-reactive protein) were analysed. The results displayed a significant increase in the levels of all circulating inflammatory biomarkers in the MIC exposed group in comparison to non-exposed cohorts. A toxin induced genetic and/or epigenetic alteration seems to be the likely underlying cause. However, further studies are essential for both mechanistic understanding and clinical implications of these patterns.
Bhargava
Arpit
A
Department of Research and Training, Bhopal Memorial Hospital & Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Punde
Ram Prakash
RP
Pathak
Neelam
N
Dabadghao
Sunil
S
Desikan
Prabha
P
Jain
Aruna
A
Maudar
Kewal Krishan
KK
Mishra
Pradyumna Kumar
PK
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D055908:Bhopal Accidental Release; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D000393:Air Pollutants; D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007378:Interleukins; D017953:Isocyanates; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C008461:methyl isocyanate