In the present study, the genotoxic, hematoxic effects, and their relation
with pathological and biochemical parameters of hexane were investigated. C
ytogenetic evaluation performed on the bone marrow indicated that chromosom
e aberrations increased at both hexane doses in relation to the negative co
ntrols. Decreased hematocrit, hemoglobin concentrations, and mean corpuscul
ar volume were observed on the whole blood counts. Conjugated dienes (CD),
glutathione (GSH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransfera
se (AST), and catalase (CAT) were increased. Histological examinations show
ed intracytoplasmic vacuolisation, nuclei with lower chromatin, and parench
ymatous degenerations in the dose groups. In the bone marrow slides, deplet
ion of the erythroid series were observed. In conclusion, hexane seems to b
e a genotoxic and hematoxic agent leading to degeneration and lipid peroxid
ation in exposed groups. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 20:329-340, 2000.
(C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.