An investigation of the DNA-damaging ability of benzene and its metabolites in human lymphocytes, using the comet assay

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