Genotoxic, hematoxic, pathological, and biochemical effects of hexane on Swiss Albino rats

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.