Abstract
BackgroundArsenic is a natural drinking water contaminant affecting 26 million people in West Bengal, India. Chronic arsenic exposure causes cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, neuropathies and ocular diseases. The aims of the present study were to assess bioindicators of hepatocellular injury as indicated by the levels of liver enzymes, to determine the auto immune status, as indicated by the amounts of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-dsDNA antibodies in their serum, and to predict cardiovascular risk in the arsenic exposed population.MethodsEffect of chronic arsenic exposure on liver was determined by liver function tests. Autoimmune status was measured by measuring ANA and anti-dsDNA in serum. Inflammatory cytokines associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk, IL6, IL8 and MCP-1 were determined.ResultsOur results indicated that serum levels of bilirubin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and ANA were increased in the arsenic exposed population. Serum levels of IL6 and IL8 also increased in the arsenic exposed group.ConclusionsChronic arsenic exposure causes liver injury, increases the serum levels of autoimmune markers and imparts increased cardiovascular risk.
Highlights
Arsenic is a natural drinking water contaminant affecting 26 million people in West Bengal, India
We focused on biological markers of liver disease, autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease in a population in West Bengal exposed to high levels of arsenic in drinking water
We have found that serum levels of bilirubin, Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have increased significantly in the arsenic exposed population when compared to the unexposed group with similar socio-economic status
Summary
Arsenic is a natural drinking water contaminant affecting 26 million people in West Bengal, India. The arsenic concentrations in these districts are far above the current maximum contaminant level (MCL) established by WHO and US EPA i.e. 10 μg/l [2,3]. This is regarded as the greatest arsenic calamity in the world [4].
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