Yoga Intervention as a Potential Countermeasure for Polar T3 Syndrome

Mohit Nirwan; K J Jyothish; Kaushik Halder; Sutanu Chakraborty; M Saha; Anjana Pathak; Shashi Bala Singh; Ragavendra Samy; Lilly Ganju

doi:10.14429/dlsj.4.14275

Mohit Nirwan DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India
K J Jyothish National Center for Polar & Ocean Research, Vasco-da-Gama - 403 804, India
Kaushik Halder DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India
Sutanu Chakraborty DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India
M Saha DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India
Anjana Pathak DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India
Shashi Bala Singh National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500 037, India
Ragavendra Samy Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana, Bengaluru - 560 019, India
Lilly Ganju DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dlsj.4.14275

Keywords: Antarctica; Thyroid hormones; Isolation; Noradrenaline; Extreme environments; Yoga.

Abstract

Polar T3 syndrome is a common ailment for polar sojourners. It is characterised by abnormal fluctuations of thyroid hormones during extended polar winter. A randomised controlled study was conducted on 14 winter expedition members of Indian Scientific Expedition (2016) to Antarctica by introducing customised yoga module. Blood samples were collected during January to October, 2016 at different intervals for the estimation of total thyroxine (TT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), thyroid stimulating hormone and noradrenaline (NA) by ELISA. In October yoga group showed significant (p = 0.04) higher TT3 values (2.1 ng/ml ± 0.9; mean ± SD) as compared to the control (0.7 ng/ml ± 0.6). In October a significant difference (p=0.0085) was observed between yoga and control group for NA values (47.0 pg/ml ± 22.0 and 107 pg/ml ± 46.0). Thyroid response of control group at the end of the study revealed presence of polar T3 syndrome in control group. Results indicate that regular yoga practice helped mitigating polar T3 syndrome

Author Biographies

Mohit Nirwan, DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India

Mr. Mohit Nirwan is working as a SRF in DIPAS, Delhi and pursuing his PhD from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.

K J Jyothish, National Center for Polar & Ocean Research, Vasco-da-Gama - 403 804, India

Mr. K.J. Jyothish is working as a male nurse in ISEAs.

Kaushik Halder, DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India

Mr. Kaushik Halder is working as a Scientist ‘D’ at DIPAS. He is an expert physiologist.

Sutanu Chakraborty, DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India

Mr. Sutanu Chakraborty is working in DIPAS and pursuing his PhD from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.

M Saha, DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India

Mr. M. Saha is working as a Scientist ‘F’ in DIPAS. He is group head of Exercise Physiology & Yoga Laboratory of DIPAS. He has a vast experience of more than three decade in yoga science.

Anjana Pathak, DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India

Ms. Anjana Pathak is working as a Technical Officer ‘C’ at DIPAS and has a vast experience of more than two decade in yoga science.

Shashi Bala Singh, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500 037, India

Dr Shashi Bala Singh was a former Director at DIPAS and former DGLS at DRDO. She has co-authored more than 100 publication with diverse scientific aspects.

Ragavendra Samy, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana, Bengaluru - 560 019, India

Mr. Ragavendra Samy was working as an Assistant Professor at SVYASA, Bangalore.

Lilly Ganju, DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi - 110 054, India

Dr Lilly Ganju is working as Scientist ‘G’ and head of Immuno-modulation division at DIPAS. She has vast experience in representing DIPAS and its’ participation in ISEAs