Inhibition of CFUE and BFUE by Mononuclear Peripheral Blood Cells during Chronic Benzene Treatment in Rabbits

Abstract

Peripheral blood cells from untransfused rabbits that were treated with a moderate dose of benzene during 2 months were cocultivated with autologous and normal bone marrow. In a significant number of experiments, CFU_E and BFU_E growth of both autologous and normal bone marrow was suppressed. Further experiments showed that this inhibition was associated with adherent mononuclear peripheral blood cells. It is concluded that benzene, an established myelotoxic agent, also induces CFU_E and BFU_E inhibiting activity in adherent peripheral blood cells.