Analysis of inflammatory markers in apparently healthy automobile vehicle drivers in response to exposure to traffic pollution fumes

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate pattern of markers of inflammation in apparently healthy drivers who exposed to traffic fumes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2016 to January 2017 at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro. It looked into the effects of traffic pollutants on markers of inflammation including CRP, Leukocytes count, IL-6, TNF-α, TNF-β of healthy human volunteers. Eighty-seven, apparently healthy, non-smoking automobile vehicle drivers, having daily contact of traffic exhaust for at least six hours, aged between 18-40 years recruited for this study. Levels of traffic-generated pollutants P.M(2.5), P.M(10,) NO(x) were recorded in different areas of Hyderabad City. RESULTS: P.M(2.5) found to be positively correlated with markers of inflammation including IL-6 (r(s) = 0.99), TNF-α (r(s) = 0.41), CRP mg/dl (r(s) = 0.99) , neutrophils (r(s) = 0.29), lymphocytes (r(s) = 0.31), eosinophils (r(s) = 0.20), monocytes (r(s) = 0.42) and basophils (r(s) = 0.16). Positive correlation present among IL-6 (r(s) = 0.21), TNF-α (r(s) = 0.49) and CRP mg/dl (r(s) = 0.22) % (r(s) = -0.31), Leukocytes (r(s) = 0.14) neutrophils (r(s) = 0.31), lymphocytes (r(s) = 0.21), monocytes (r(s) = 0.50), basophils (r(s) = 0.17) with P.M(10). NO(x) showed positive correlation with IL-6 (r(s) = 0.22), TNF-α (r(s) = 0.48), CRP (r(s) = 0.22), neutrophils (r(s) = 0.31), lymphocytes (r(s) = 0.13), basophils (r(s) = 0.17) and monocytes (r(s) = 0.48). CONCLUSION: Findings of our study suggest that almost all markers of inflammation are positively correlated with traffic pollutants and this condition might raise the risk of systemic diseases.