INCREASE OF SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES AND PERTURBATIONS OF CELL-DIVISION KINETICS IN HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTES BY BENZENE METABOLITES

Abstract

Benzene, which has been associated with human cancers, is metabolized to produce several major metabolites that could be responsible for the biological effects. Tests were performed on human lymphocytes in culture to determine if benzene or its metabolites, phenol, catechol and hydroquinone, induce cytogenetic changes and affect the cell cycle. Benzene itself does not induce sister chromatid exchanges or affect cell cycle kinetics over a wide range of doses. Phenol has an effect only at very high doses. Catechol is a potent compound that induces sister chromatid exchanges and delays cell division very readily. Hydroquinone is also potent, but less so than catechol. The formation of catechol and hydroquinone is the most likely cause of benzene toxicity.