EFFECT OF BENZENE TREATMENT ON HEPATIC LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME-ACTIVITIES IN MICE

The effect of acute and chronic benzene treatment on lipid peroxidatio n and antioxidant system was investigated in liver of mice. Malondiald ehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate levels were found increased in liver h omogenates and microsomes of chronically benzene treated group whereas no change was observed in acute benzene injected group. However, glut athione (GSH) levels remained unchanged in liver homogenates of all th e benzene treated groups. We also found marked increases in cytosolic total (selenium-dependent + nonselenium-dependent) glutathione peroxid ase (GSH-Px), glutathione transferase (GST) activities whereas seleniu m-dependent GSH-Px and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities did not c hange after chronic benzene treatment. Increased enzyme activities are estimated as an adaptation to lipid peroxidation stimulated by chroni c benzene administration. Our results suggest that benzene metabolism causes free radical induced lipid peroxidation in the liver and most p robably hepatic microsomes play a significant role in this metabolism.