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Reactive ring-opened aldehyde metabolites in benzene hematotoxicity

Journal Article · · Environmental Health Perspectives
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3433163· OSTI ID:472160
; ;  [1]
  1. UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ (United States)

The hematotoxicity of benzene is mediated by reactive benzene metabolites and possibly by other intermediates including reactive oxygen species. We previously hypothesized that ring-opened metabolites may significantly contribute to benzene hematotoxicity. Consistent with this hypothesis, our studies initially demonstrated that benzene is metabolized in vitro to trans-trans-muconaldehyde (MUC), a reactive six-carbon diene dialdehyde, and that MUC is toxic to the bone marrow in a manner similar to benzene. Benzene toxicity most likely involves interactions among several metabolites that operate by different mechanisms to produce more than one biological effect. Our studies indicate that MUC coadministered with hydroquinone is a particularly potent metabolite combination that causes bone marrow damage, suggesting that the involvement of ring-opened metabolites in benzene toxicity may be related to their biological effects in combination with other benzene metabolites. Studies in our laboratory and by others indicate that MUC is metabolized to a variety of compounds by oxidation or reduction of the aldehyde groups. 37 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
472160
Report Number(s):
CONF-9506288--; CNN: Grant ES02558; Grant ES05022
Journal Information:
Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal Issue: Suppl.6 Vol. 104; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English