An investigation of the DNA-damaging ability of benzene and its metabolites in human lymphocytes, using the Comet assay
- BIBRA International, Surrey (United Kingdom)
Benzene and five of its known metabolites-muconic acid, hydroquinone, catechol, p-benzoquinone, and benzentriol-were examined for DNA damage in human lymphocytes using the alkaline Comet assay, and conditions were optimised to determine responses. When comets were measured by eye after treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H{sup 2}O{sup 2}), the positive control, and each compound for 0.5 hr, only H{sup 2}O{sup 2} and benzenetrial induced pronounced DNA damage without metabolic activation. The effect of catechol was moderate compared, with that of benzenetriol. There was a very weak effect of benzene in the absence of rat liver S-9 mix. In the presence of S-9 mix, benzene was not activated. The effect of benzenetriol was greatly reduced by the external metabolishing system, but p-benzoquinone became activated o some extent. Catalase abolished the effect of benzenetriol, suggesting that H{sup 2}O{sup 2} formed during autoxidation may be responsible for the DNA-damaging ability of this metabolite. Mitogen-stimulated cycling cells were less sensitive to H{sup 2}O{sup 2} and benzenetrial than unstimulated G{sub O} lymphocytes. Effects tended to become more pronounced at high doses and after longer exposures, although this was not always consistent from experiment to experiment. In conclusion, benzene and all metabolites investigated gave positive responses. Where altered responses were observed, they were significantly different from the corresponding controls. 46 refs., 7 tabs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 269094
- Journal Information:
- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Vol. 26, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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