Induction of cytogenetic damage in rodents after short-term inhalation of benzene

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1985 · Environ. Mutagen.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2860080104· OSTI ID:5631909

Erexson, G L; Wilmer, J L; Steinhagen, W H; Kligerman, A D

Experiments were designed to investigate both the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and micronuclei (MN) in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) of mice and rats after inhalation of benzene (BZ). Male DBA/2 mice (17-19 weeks old) were exposed to target concentrations of either 0, 10, 100, or 1,000 ppm BZ for 6 hr. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (11-14 weeks old) were exposed to target concentrations of either 0, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, or 30 ppm BZ for 6 hr. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture 18 hr after exposure, and PBLs were cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A to stimulate blastogenesis for SCE analysis. Femoral bone marrow smears from both species were analyzed for MN in PCEs 18 hr after BZ exposure. Mouse PBLs revealed a significant concentration-related increase in the SCE frequency over controls at 10, 100, or 1000 ppm BZ. Mouse bone marrow showed a significant concentration-dependent increase in MN over controls after exposure to 10, 100, or 1000 ppm BZ. Rat PBLs showed a significant increase in the SCE frequency after exposure to 3, 10, or 30 ppm BZ. The statistical significance of the 1 ppm BZ result was borderline and dependent on the statistical test chosen. Rat cells revealed a significant concentration-related increase in MN after inhalation of either 1, 3, 10, or 30 ppm BZ. PBLs from treated mice showed significant concentration-dependent decreases in mitotic indices; however, cell cycle kinetics and leucocyte counts remained unaffected. Rat PBLs showed significant decreases in mitotic activity only after exposure to 3 and 30 ppm BZ, whereas cell cycle kinetics and leucocyte counts were unaffected. These results show that BZ can induce statistically significant cytogenetic effects in PBLs and PCEs of both mice and rats after a 6-hr inhalation of BZ at low concentrations.

• Research Organization: Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Research Triangle Park, NC
• OSTI ID: 5631909
• Journal Information: Environ. Mutagen.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Mutagen.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN ENMUD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BONE MARROW
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
GENETIC EFFECTS
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
HYDROCARBONS
INHALATION
INTAKE
LEUKOCYTES
LYMPHOCYTES
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MICE
MUTATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RATS
RODENTS
SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES
SOMATIC CELLS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES