An overview of benzene metabolism

Benzene toxicity involves both bone marrow depression and leukemogenesis caused by damage to multiple classes of hematopoietic cells and a variety of hematopoietic cell functions. Study of the relationship between the metabolism and toxicity of benzene indicates that several metabolites of benzene play significant roles in generating benzene toxicity. Benzene is metabolized, primarily in the liver, to a variety of hydroxylated and ring-opened products that are transported to the bone marrow where subsequent secondary metabolism occurs. Two potential mechanisms by which benzene metabolites may damage cellular macromolecules to induce toxicity include the covalent binding of reactive metabolites of benzene and the capacity of benzene metabolites to induce oxidative damage. Although the relative contributions of each of these mechanisms to toxicity remains unestablished, it is clear that different mechanisms contribute to the toxicities associated with different metabolites. As a corollary, it is unlikely that benzene toxicity can be described as the result of the interaction of a single metabolite with a single biological target. Continued investigation of the metabolism of benzene and its metabolites will allow us to determine the specific combination of metabolites as well as the biological target(s) involved in toxicity and will ultimately lead to our understanding of the relationship between the production of benzene metabolites and bone marrow toxicity.

Interspecies extrapolation of physiological pharmacokinetic parameter distributions

Three methods (multiplicative, additive, and allometric) were developed to extrapolate physiological model parameter distributions across species, specifically from rats to humans. In the multiplicative approach, the rat model parameters are multiplied by the ratio of the mean values between humans and rats. Additive scaling of the distributions is defined by adding the difference between the average human value and the average rat value to each rat value. Finally, allometric scaling relies on established extrapolation relationships using power functions of body weight. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model was fitted independently to rat and human benzene disposition data. Human model parameters obtained by extrapolation and by fitting were used to predict the total bone marrow exposure to benzene and the quantity of metabolites produced in bone marrow. We found that extrapolations poorly predict the human data relative to the human model. In addition, the prediction performance depends largely on the quantity of interest. The extrapolated models underpredict bone marrow exposure to benzene relative to the human model. Yet, predictions of the quantity of metabolite produced in bone marrow are closer to the human model predictions. These results indicate that the multiplicative and allometric techniques were able to extrapolate the model parameter distributions, but also that rats do not provide a good kinetic model of benzene disposition in humans.

Investigation of the DNA adducts formed in B6C3F1 mice treated with benzene: implications for molecular dosimetry

We have investigated the formation of DNA adducts in the bone marrow and white blood cells of male B6C3F1 mice treated with benzene using P1-enhanced 32P-postlabeling. No adducts were detected in the bone marrow of controls or mice treated with various doses of benzene once a day. After twice-daily treatment for 1 to 7 days with benzene, 440 mg/kg, one major (no. 1) and up to two minor DNA adducts were detected in both the bone marrow and white blood cells. The relative adduct levels in these cells ranged from 0.06 to 1.46 x 10(-7). a significant correlation (r2 = 0.95) between levels of adducts in bone marrow and white blood cells was observed. After a 7-day treatment with benzene, 440 mg/kg twice a day, the number of cells per femur decreased from 1.6 x 10(7) to 0.85 x 10(7), indicating myelotoxicity. In contrast, administration of benzene once a day produced only a small decrease in bone marrow cellularity. The observed induction of toxicity in bone marrow was paralleled by formation of DNA adducts. In vitro treatment of bone marrow with hydroquinone (HQ) for 24 hr produced the same DNA adducts as found after treatment of mice with benzene, suggesting that HQ is the principal metabolite of benzene leading to DNA adduct formation in vivo. Using P-postlabeling the principal DNA adduct formed in vivo was compared with N2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine-3'-phosphate. The results of this comparison demonstrated that the DNA adduct formed in vivo co-chromatographs with N2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine-3'-phosphate. These studies indicate that metabolic activation of benzene leads to the formation of DNA adducts in bone marrow and white blood cells and suggest that measurement of DNA adducts in white blood cells may be an indicator of biological effect following benzene exposure.

Species differences in the metabolism of benzene

The pathways of metabolism of benzene appear to be qualitatively similar in all species studied thus far. However, there are quantitative differences in the fraction of benzene metabolized by the different pathways. These species differences become important for risk assessments based on animal data. Mice have a greater overall capacity to metabolize benzene than rats or primates, based on mass balance studies conducted in vivo using radiolabled benzene. Mice and monkeys metabolize more of the benzene to hydroquinone metabolites than do rats or chimpanzees, especially at low doses. Nonhuman primates metabolize less of the benzene to muconic acid than do rodents or humans. In all species studied, a greater proportion of benzene is converted to hydroquinone and ring-breakage metabolites at low doses than at high doses. This finding should be considered in attempting to extrapolate the toxicity of benzene observed at high doses to predicted toxicity at low doses. Because ring-breakage metabolites and hydroquinone have both been implicated in the toxicity of benzene, the higher formation of those metabolites in the mouse may partially explain why mice are more sensitive to benzene than are rats. Metabolism of benzene in humans, the species of interest, does not exactly mimic that of any animal species studied. More information on the urinary and blood metabolites of occupationally exposed people is required to determine the fractional conversion of benzene to putative toxic metabolites and the degree of variability present in human subjects.

Phenylguanine found in urine after benzene exposure

Comparative investigations with synthetic N7-phenylguanine were carried out to clarify whether this compound is eliminated via the urine of rats as a benzene-derived nucleic acid adduct. As sensitive methods for detecting trace amounts of the compound, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography, and two immunoassays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluoroimmunoassay) with appropriate monoclonal antibodies were used. The results indicate the excretion of several benzene-related guanine adducts slightly different from N7-phenylguanine that may possibly be hydroxylated. These adducts differ also from (O6-, N2- and C8-phenylguanine, respectively.

Randomization tests for assessing the equality of area under curves for studies using destructive sampling

Testing the equality of the area under a curve (AUC) for different dose groups is frequently done in pharmacokinetic research. Equality of AUCs is one indicator of bioequivalence. When the experimental unit must be sacrificed to obtain a response, AUC can be simply estimated using a linear combination of response means at various time points. The distribution of this estimator is simply obtained using standard statistical theory, and statistical hypothesis tests are easily constructed. These tests assume a normal distribution of responses at each time point (or at least large enough samples to assure that the mean response is normally distributed). The applicability of this test to cases of non-normal response distributions when small numbers of observations are sampled at each time point is questionable. Randomization tests are suggested for this problem. These tests provide a valuable alternative to this normal-theory test. Discussion of the assessment of dose proportionality is also presented.

Measurement of benzene in human breath associated with an environmental exposure

The concentration of benzene in breath was measured after exposure to environmental benzene. Five volunteers were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at different exposure levels and for different exposure durations. The breath samples were collected before, during, and postexposure for up to three hours. Benzene in breath was confirmed as a short-term biomarker of environmental benzene exposure at the sub-ppm level. Less than 10% of the inhaled benzene was expired within three hours following two-hour inhalation exposures, with a greater percentage expired following shorter exposures. An average of 64% percent of the inhaled benzene was absorbed through the lung barrier, with the percentage absorbed decreasing with continued exposure. Benzene biological half-lives of 7.6 and 68 minutes were calculated empirically using a two-compartment model based on the exponential benzene decay curve after correcting the breath concentrations for background breath concentrations. The breath concentration calculated at the end of the exposure by extrapolation of the postexposure breath samples demonstrates a discontinuity with the breath concentration collected during exposure, consistent with equilibrium exchange between blood and breath.

Incorporating Monte Carlo simulation into physiologically based pharmacokinetic models using advanced continuous simulation language (ACSL): a computational method

Biologically based models with physiological parameters are becoming more popular as a tool to estimate target tissue doses from chemical exposures. However, the majority of current physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models do not take into account the uncertainty and/or variability within the various model parameters. Consideration of uncertainty is important to evaluate the predictive ability and complexity of a model as well as identification of parameters which contribute disproportionately to variability in model output. In order to estimate the uncertainty in PBPK model output, a versatile and simple computational method is presented which can be readily incorporated into the majority of PBPK models without extensive additions to model computer code. In this paper, a separate computer program for Monte Carlo simulation is furnished that randomly samples values for model parameters and writes them into a run-time language (command file) format which can then be utilized to execute individual PBPK models. Modifications to the PBPK model allow the desired output to be written to a data file for statistical analysis. The method presented in this paper is applied to a simple PBPK model for benzene disposition.

Partition coefficients between human blood or adipose tissue and air for aromatic solvents

OBJECTIVES

The partitioning of lipophilic toxicants into blood and into adipose tissue plays an important role in the physiological distribution and toxicology of these substances. The partition coefficients between blood and air and adipose tissue and air were determined for widely used aromatic solvents in an in vitro test system using human tissue samples.

METHODS

Samples of whole venous blood (N = 35) were drawn from 10 subjects. In addition, samples of perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue were obtained from F344 rats, along with subcutaneous, omental, or inguinal adipose tissue from 43 patients who had undergone surgery. Portions of each tissue were injected into vials for equilibration with atmospheres containing deuterated and nondeuterated organic solvents. Gas chromatographic headspace analysis was then used to determine the partition coefficients between blood and air and adipose tissue and air.

RESULTS

The mean partition coefficients between human blood and air or adipose tissue and air were 334 (SE 11) (adipose tissue) for benzene; 1764 (SE 49) (adipose tissue) for ethylbenzene; 3184 (SE 84) (adipose tissue) for styrene; 18.3 (SE 0.24) (blood) and 962 (SE 32) (adipose tissue) for toluene; 35.2 (SE 0.45) (blood) and 2460 (SE 63) (adipose tissue) for O-xylene; 31.9 (SE 0.45) (blood) and 1919 (SE 53) (adipose tissue) for m-xylene; and 39.0 (SE 0.70) (blood) and 2019 (SE 102) for p-xylene. Regression analyses revealed coefficients of determination of 0.88 (human) and 0.98 (rat) between blood and air and log tissue and air. A value of 0.98 was found for partition coefficients between rat and human adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The partition coefficients between blood and air and adipose tissue and air were strongly correlated. The partitioning of aromatic solvents into rat adipose tissue is predictive of partitioning into human adipose tissue.

Scientific challenges in environmental carcinogenesis

We reviewed three of our ongoing interdisciplinary studies in environmental carcinogenesis. In the case of snuff dipping and cancer of the oral cavity our data strongly support the epidemiological findings. Bioassays have demonstrated that oral snuff induces cancer of the oral cavity of rats, that the major carcinogens in snuff are NNN and NNK and that swabbing of the mouth with a solution containing NNN and NNK induces tumors in rats at the site of application. Biochemical studies are currently underway to provide further documentation that oral snuff is a carcinogen in humans. The major leukemogenic agent in cigarette smoke is benzene. Biomarker studies with t,t-MA, a urinary metabolite of benzene, have shown significantly higher uptake of benzene by smokers than by nonsmokers and benzene uptake by smokers of the order found in the urine of workers with low occupational exposure to benzene. These studies are being continued. Laboratory studies have supported the concept that smokers of low-yield cigarettes are more likely to have higher risk for lung adenocarcinoma than smokers of high-yield cigarettes who were more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma. Smokers of low-yield cigarettes smoke more intensely and inhale more deeply to satisfy a need for nicotine. These changes in smoking patterns lead to relatively greater exposure of the bronchioalveolar regions and smaller bronchi to lung carcinogens, some of which have organ specificity and may well be responsible for induction of adenoma or adenocarcinoma of the peripheral lung. Biomarker studies are in progress to verify this hypothesis.

Health risk assessment of chemical mixtures from a research perspective

Human exposures to chemicals in the environment and workplace typically involve chemical mixtures. One of the key risk assessment issues for mixtures is that of extrapolation from high to low dose. Observation of an interaction among chemicals in a mixture at high concentrations in animals does not necessarily mean that the same effect, in type or magnitude, will be significant in humans exposed to lower concentrations of the mixture. Physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models can be used to assist in the extrapolation from high to low dose. Mechanisms observed in animals such as competitive inhibition of xenobiotic metabolism (e.g., butadiene and styrene or benzene and toluene) can be incorporated into PBTK models. The models can then be used to predict the magnitude of the interactive effects at high and low exposure concentrations. The most relevant predictions can then be tested using selected experiments. A research strategy involving hypothesis generation through quantitative modeling and testing through laboratory-based experiments may be the most effective strategy for addressing the complex issue of human health risks from exposures to chemical mixtures.

Uncertainty, variability, and sensitivity analysis in physiological pharmacokinetic models

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are now commonly used to predict the dose of toxic metabolites of chemical substances reaching target tissues. A typical PBPK model can involve 20 or more physiological, physiochemical, and biochemical parameters, each of which is estimated with some degree of error. In this article, methods for assessing the impact of uncertainty in the parameter values on prediction of tissue dose are proposed, along with methods for identifying those parameters to which predictions of tissue doses are most sensitive. Many of the model parameters are related to body weight, which is assumed to vary in accordance with a doubly truncated normal distribution. The application of the proposed methods is illustrated using a PBPK model for benzene.

In vitro conjugation of benzene metabolites by human liver: potential influence of interindividual variability on benzene toxicity

In addition to industrial sources, benzene is present in the environment as a component of cigarette smoke and automobile emissions. Toxicity of benzene most likely results from oxidative metabolism of benzene to reactive products. However, susceptibility to these toxic effects may be related to a balance between activation (phase I) and detoxication (phase II) reactions. In the present study, we have estimated kinetic parameters of the two major detoxication reactions for benzene metabolites--phenol sulfation and hydroquinone glucuronidation--in liver subcellular fractions from 10 humans, and single samples from mice and rats. The extent of oxidative metabolism of benzene by these liver samples has been reported previously. Here, initial rates of phenol sulfation varied 3-fold (range 0.309-0.919 nmol/mg protein/min) among human samples. Measured rates were faster in rats (1.195 nmol/mg protein/min) than in mice (0.458 nmol/mg protein/min). Initial rates of hydroquinone glucuronidation by human samples also varied 3-fold (range 0.101-0.281 nmol/mg protein/min). Hydroquinone glucuronidation was more rapid by mouse microsomes (0.218 nmol/mg protein/min) than by rat microsomes (0.077 nmol/mg protein/min). To integrate interindividual differences in various enzyme activities, a physiological compartmental model was developed that incorporates rates of both conjugation reactions and oxidation reactions. Model equations were solved for steady-state concentrations of phenol and hydroquinone attained in human, mouse and rat blood during continuous exposure to benzene (0.01 microM in blood). Among the 10 human subjects, steady-state concentrations of phenol varied 6-fold (range 0.38-2.17 nM) and steady-state concentrations of hydroquinone varied 5-fold (range 6.66-31.44 nM). Predicted steady-state concentrations of phenol were higher in mice compared with rats (2.28 and 0.83 nM respectively). Likewise, higher steady-state concentrations of hydroquinone were predicted in mice than in rats (42.44 and 17.99 nM respectively). Predicted steady-state concentrations of phenol and hydroquinone in mice were higher than predictions for the 10 human subjects, whereas predicted concentrations for rats fell among the human values. As such, our results underscore the importance of considering the balance between activation and detoxication reactions in the elimination of toxicants. Model simulations suggest that both phase I and phase II pathways influence the relative risk from exposure to benzene.

Estimating skin permeation. The validation of five mathematical skin permeation models

This study provides an analysis of the reliability of five mathematical models, simulating permeation of substances through the skin from aqueous solutions. An extensive database was generated, containing data on 123 measured permeation coefficients of 99 different chemicals and their physicochemical properties. In addition, in this database all relevant experimental conditions are included. The coefficients of the different skin permeation models were estimated by non-linear multiple regression, using the octanol-water partition coefficient and the molecular weight as independent parameters. The reliability of the models was evaluated by testing variation of regression coefficients and of residual variance for subsets of data, randomly selected from the complete database. Three models were considered to provide reliable estimations of the skin permeation coefficient. These are based on the McKone and Howd model, the Guy and Potts model and the Robinson model. The last-mentioned two models were adaptations, because MW0.5 as independent parameter provided a better fit than MW (MW = molecular weight) in the original models. The McKone and Howd model and the Robinson model have the advantage, that they predict more precisely the skin permeation of highly hydrophilic and highly lipophilic chemicals compared to the Guy and Potts model. The revised Robinson model resulted always in the smallest residual variance.

Possible genotoxicity in low level benzene exposure

Structural chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in peripheral blood were studied in female workers employed in the shoe-making industry in two periods: 1987 (group I; N = 38) and 1992 (group II; N = 45). Only 11 of the workers were present in both groups and their results are presented both together and separately. Occupational exposure to benzene and toluene was confirmed through their determination in the working area, blood, and phenol in pre- and post-shift urine. The results were compared with those from the control group (N = 35). Benzene in the working atmosphere was significantly higher in 1987 compared to 1992, but was always lower than the current Croatian permissible concentration of 50 mg m-3 (in the near future this value will be changed to 15 mg m-3). A statistically significant difference was also found in biological markers of benzene exposure between the two periods of the investigation. Increased absorption in the first period occurred because of intensified production in 1987, and this decreased significantly in 1992 because of the war in Croatia. The cytogenetic study showed a significant increase in dicentric chromosomes in exposed groups I and II when compared to the control group. Statistically significant higher SCE frequencies were found in group I compared to the control group and also compared to group II. Between exposed group II and the controls no statistically significant difference in SCEs was found. Comparing the same 11 workers present in both periods the results showed no difference in chromosome aberrations between the two periods of examination. SCE frequencies were significantly higher in 1987 when greater benzene absorption occurred, confirmed by biomarkers of benzene exposure. The presented results indicate that genotoxicity may occur in workers exposed to low levels of benzene in the shoe industry.

Short-term carcinogenesis bioassay of genotoxic procarcinogens in PIM transgenic mice

E mu-pim-1 transgenic mice, which overexpress the pim-1 oncogene in lymphoid tissues, have shown increased susceptibility to induction of T cell lymphomas by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, a direct-acting chemical carcinogen (Nature, 340, 61-63, 1989). We sought to further evaluate E mu-pim-1 transgenic mice as a potential test animal for a short-term carcinogenesis bioassay. We chose to test four genotoxic procarcinogens; 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), N-nitro-sodiethylamine (NDEA), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) and benzene (BEN). These compounds require metabolic activation and, with the exception of benzene, are not mouse lymphomagens. Compounds were administered by gavage daily for 38 (NDEA and 2-AAF) or 40 (BEN and 1,2-DCE) weeks to groups of 25-29 male and female PIM mice at 1 and 3 mg/kg for NDEA, 50 and 100 mg/kg for BEN, 25-100 mg/kg for 2-AAF and 100-300 mg/kg for 1,2-DCE. Small but statistically significant increases in the incidence of malignant lymphoma were seen for three of the four carcinogens tested; in high dose males treated with 2-AAF, high and low dose females treated with NDEA and high dose females treated with 1,2-DCE. Results for BEN, the only mouse lymphomagen tested, did not show a statistically significant increase in the incidence of malignant lymphomas in transgenic mice within the 40 week duration of the study. NDEA also produced a high incidence (> 70%) of hepatic hemangiosarcomas in both sexes at the low and high dose levels. These results demonstrate that over-expression of the pim-1 oncogene in lymphoid tissue can confer susceptibility of this tissue to chemical carcinogenesis by genotoxic procarcinogens. However, whereas potent genotoxic carcinogens produced only small increases in the incidence of lymphoma and since BEN, a mouse lymphomagen, was negative, PIM transgenic mice may lack sufficient sensitivity to established carcinogens to justify their routine use in a short-term carcinogenesis screening assay.

Age-related changes in benzene disposition in male C57BL/6N mice described by a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to describe the disposition of benzene in 3- and 18-month C57BL/6N mice and to examine the relevant physiologic and/or biochemical parameters governing previously observed age-related changes in the disposition of benzene. The model developed was based on that of Medinsky et al. (Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 99 (1989) 193-206), with the inclusion of an additional rate constant for urinary elimination of benzene metabolites. Experimentally determined tissue partition coefficients for benzene in 3- and 18-month mice, as well as actual body weights and fat compartment volumes, were included as part of the model. Model simulations were conducted for oral exposure of 3-month mice to 10 and 200 mg benzene/kg and for oral exposure of 18-month mice to 10 and 150 mg benzene/kg. Total amount of benzene metabolized, as well as metabolism of benzene to specific metabolites and their elimination, was simulated. Modeling results for total amount of benzene metabolites eliminated in urine over a 24-h period at 10 mg/kg showed that a greater total amount of benzene metabolites would be excreted by 18-month versus 3-month old mice. At saturating doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg, total amount of benzene metabolites excreted 24 h post-dose was predicted to be equivalent in 18-month mice and 3-month old mice, but the rate of elimination over time was shown to be decreased in 18-month vs. 3-month mice. Decreased urinary elimination of total benzene metabolites was simulated by a smaller renal elimination rate constant in 18-month vs. 3-month mice, which is consistent with decreased renal blood flow noted in aging rodents. These model predictions were consistent with observed in vitro and in vivo experimental data. Model simulations for production of specific metabolites from benzene and elimination in urine agreed well with experimental data in showing no significant age-related changes in formation of benzene metabolites, with the exception of hydroquinone conjugates. Model simulations and experimental data showed decreased total urinary elimination of hydroquinone conjugates in 18-month vs. 3-month mice. The change in hydroquinone conjugate elimination with age was simulated in modeling experiments as an age-related increase in Km for production of hydroquinone conjugates from benzene. The results of this study indicate that age-related changes in physiology are primarily responsible for altered disposition of benzene in aged mice and suggest that concentrations for toxicity of benzene and/or metabolites may differ in target tissues of aged mice.

Parameter variability and the interpretation of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling results

For the past several years we have been working with models of benzene distribution and metabolism, principally in the rat, but more recently in humans. Our biologically related objectives have been primarily to assist our laboratory-based colleagues in their quest for understanding of the mechanisms by which benzene exerts its toxic action. A secondary goal has been to develop or adapt models useful in risk assessment applications. We have also had methodological goals that relate to applications of sensitivity analysis on the one hand, but more fundamentally to the connection between experimental data and model structure and parameterization. This paper presents an overview of our work in these areas.

Toluene removal from air by Dieffenbachia in a closed environment

Higher plants are likely to play a major role in bioregeneration systems for food, air and water supplies. Plants may also contribute by the removal of toxic organic substances from the air of a closed environment. Dieffenbachia amoena plants were exposed to 0 to 1.2 x 10(6) micrograms toluene m-3 at light intensities of 35 and 90 micromoles m-2 s-1 in sealed chambers. Toluene removal, photosynthesis and respiration were measured. An increased light intensity increased the rate of toluene removal five-fold over the rate at the lower intensity; the kinetics suggest active regulation by the plant. The removal rate saturated at 2700 micrograms toluene h-1 at the lower intensity and failed to saturate at the higher intensity. Toluene exposure inhibited photosynthesis and respiration only transiently and without correlation to toluene concentration. These plants can act as efficient scavengers of toluene in a contaminated environment.

Benzene toxicokinetics in humans: exposure of bone marrow to metabolites

A three compartment physiologically based toxicokinetic model was fitted to human data on benzene disposition. Two separate groups of model parameter derivations were obtained, depending on which data sets were being fitted. The model was then used to simulate five environmental or occupational exposures. Predicted values of the total bone marrow exposure to benzene and cumulative quantity of metabolites produced by the bone marrow were generated for each scenario. The relation between cumulative quantity of metabolites produced by the bone marrow and continuous benzene exposure was also investigated in detail for simulated inhalation exposure concentrations ranging from 0.0039 ppm to 150 ppm. At the level of environmental exposures, no dose rate effect was found for either model. The occupational exposures led to only slight dose rate effects. A 32 ppm exposure for 15 minutes predicted consistently higher values than a 1 ppm exposure for eight hours for the total exposure of bone marrow to benzene and the cumulative quantity of metabolites produced by the bone marrow. The general relation between the cumulative quantity of metabolites produced by the bone marrow and the inhalation concentration of benzene is not linear. An inflection point exists in some cases leading to a slightly S shaped curve. At environmental levels (0.0039-10 ppm) the curve bends upward, and it saturates at high experimental exposures (greater than 100 ppm).

Concentrations of benzene in blood and S-phenylmercapturic and t,t-muconic acid in urine in car mechanics

Different parameters of biological monitoring were applied to 26 benzene-exposed car mechanics. Twenty car mechanics worked in a work environment with probably high benzene exposures (exposed workers); six car mechanics primarily involved in work organization were classified as non-exposed. The maximum air benzene concentration at the work places of exposed mechanics was 13 mg/m3 (mean 2.6 mg/m3). Elevated benzene exposure was associated with job tasks involving work on fuel injections, petrol tanks, cylinder blocks, gasoline pipes, fuel filters, fuel pumps and valves. The mean blood benzene level in the exposed workers was 3.3 micrograms/l (range 0.7-13.6 micrograms/l). Phenol proved to be an inadequate monitoring parameter within the exposure ranges investigated. The muconic and S-phenylmercapturic acid concentrations in urine showed a marked increase during the work shift. Both also showed significant correlations with benzene concentrations in air or in blood. The best correlations between the benzene air level and the mercapturic and muconic acid concentrations in urine were found at the end of the work shift (phenylmercapturic acid concentration: r = 0.81, P < 0.0001; muconic acid concentration: r = 0.54, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the concentrations of benzene in blood and mercapturic and muconic acid in urine proved to be good parameters for monitoring benzene exposure at the workplace even at benzene air levels below the current exposure limits. Today working as a car mechanic seems to be one of the occupations typically associated with benzene exposure.

GC/MS determination of N-phenylvaline, a possible biomarker for benzene exposure in human hemoglobin by the "N-alkyl Edman method"

We report the application of a modified Edman degradation procedure to the analysis of benzene oxide adducts at the N-terminal valine of human hemoglobin (Hb). Benzene oxide is thought to be formed in the liver from benzene and adduct formation with macromolecules is therefore likely to occur. We assumed that benzene oxide could covalently bind to hemoglobin after leaving the hepatic tissue. The "N-alkyl Edman method" was adapted for the approach to investigate this hypothesis. Using capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with negative chemical ionization, we could not detect N-phenylvaline in blood samples from persons occupationally exposed to benzene. We conclude that adducts of benzene oxide to the N-terminal valine of Hb are not formed in detectable amounts in vivo and consequently are not suitable for biomonitoring purposes. This result clearly indicates that other reactive benzene metabolites have to be taken into account not only in the search for a biomarker but also as the ultimate carcinogenic species.

Model parameter estimation and analysis: understanding parametric structure

We developed three algorithms to facilitate an analysis of the parameter combinations (PASS points) that fit experimental data to a desired degree of accuracy. The clustering algorithm separates PASS points into clusters (PASS clusters) as a preliminary step for the following geometrical parametric analyses. The PASS region reconstruction algorithm defines the space of a PASS cluster to allow further parametric structural analysis. The feasible parameter space expansion algorithm produces a complete PASS cluster to be used for model predictions to evaluate the effects of variability and uncertainty. These algorithms are demonstrated using two pharmacokinetic models; a single compartment model for procainamide and a three-compartment physiologically based model for benzene. We found a more thorough representation of the parameter space than previously considered. Thus, we obtained model predictions that describe better the variability in population responses. In addition, we also parametrically identified a subpopulation that may have a higher risk for cancer.

An in vitro comparison of the permeation of chemicals in vapor and liquid phase through pig skin

This study used pig skin to compare vapor and liquid permeation of benzene, n-butanol, and toluene in vitro. Vapors of radio-labeled chemicals were generated by passing purified air through two saturators in series containing the labeled chemical. The generated vapor was directed into the donor compartment of a modified liquid permeation cell. For liquid permeation experiments, neat chemicals were dosed directly on the surface of the skin. The variability of the generated concentrations for the vapor phase of each chemical ranged from 3-7%. The mean flux of the liquid chemicals was significantly higher than those of the vapor phase. There was no significant difference in the flux of the individual chemicals in the liquid phase. In the vapor phase test, the flux of toluene and benzene were not significantly different; however, for n-butanol the flux was significantly lower than the for either benzene or toluene.

Optimization issues in physiological toxicokinetic modeling: a case study with benzene

This paper compares two methods for global optimization of physiologically based toxicokinetic models: Monte Carlo optimization, which searches randomly for the optimum; and the simplex method, which updates systematically an array of parameter values. Two measures of goodness-of-fit are also contrasted: criterion function and likelihood. A 14-parameter model of benzene distribution in rats is used to illustrate these techniques. Simplex optimization yields better fits overall. However, the measurement of uncertainty offered by Monte Carlo simulations is a major argument in favor of their use.

Glue sniffing deaths in Singapore--volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in post-mortem blood by headspace gas chromatography

Over a period from 1983 to 1991, of a total of 19,000 post-mortems, 33 were found to have at least one aromatic hydrocarbon (benzene, toluene or xylenes) in the blood. Of the 33 deceased, 22 had a history of toluene or petrol abuse while most of the remaining 11 were suspected to be glue sniffers through evidence found at the scene. This number, which represented 0.17 per cent of all the unnatural deaths, is considered small for a nation having a glue sniffing epidemic. The low death rate, as compared to 2.1 per cent through drug and chemical poisoning during the same period, is attributed to the timely intervention by the Government who outlawed glue sniffing and the effectiveness of compulsory rehabilitation. The male gender predominates (81.8 per cent) among the 33 deceased with a mean age of 20.1 years (range 15 to 33). The mean age for the female gender is 17.7 years (range 16 to 20). The blood toluene levels were found to be in the range 0.2 to 92 micrograms per ml blood. The causes of death are: 63.6 per cent due to falling or suicide by jumping; 18.2 per cent drowning; 6.1 per cent hanging; 6.1 per cent homicide; and 6.1 per cent acute toluene poisoning. The high proportion of traumatic deaths are discussed. Headspace gas chromatography with a suitable GC column was used for the analysis. Calibration blood standards were prepared in situ or in bulk stabilized by 10 per cent (v/v) methanol to overcome the hydrophobic and volatile nature of the aromatic hydrocarbons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biodegradation and biotransformation of groundwater pollutant mixtures by Mycobacterium vaccae

Mycobacterium vaccae can catabolize a number of major groundwater pollutants. When added singly, acetone, cyclohexane, styrene, benzene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene, dioxane, and 1,2-dichloroethylene can be catabolized by M. vaccae. Catabolism of a number of these chemicals was monitored by gas-chromatographic analysis. Gas-chromatographic analysis indicated that the products of benzene degradation are phenol and hydroquinone. The products of chlorobenzene and ethylbenzene degradation are 4-chlorophenol and 4-ethylphenol. The extent that some compounds were catabolized when present as mixtures was also investigated. When toluene and benzene were present concomitantly, toluene was catabolized and benzene oxidation was delayed. Although toluene promoted the degradation of styrene, a lower rate of toluene degradation occurred when styrene was present. Both 4-chlorophenol and 4-ethylphenol had an antagonistic effect on the ability of M. vaccae to degrade other aromatic compounds. Studies with [14C]benzene indicated that M. vaccae can mineralize small amounts of this compound. These results suggest that components in mixtures may have a positive or a negative effect on the rates of biodegradation of other pollutants.

The toxicology of benzene

Benzene is metabolized, primarily in the liver, to a series of phenolic and ring-opened products and their conjugates. The mechanism of benzene-induced aplastic anemia appears to involve the concerted action of several metabolites acting together on early stem and progenitor cells, as well as on early blast cells, such as pronormoblasts and normoblasts to inhibit maturation and amplification. Benzene metabolites also inhibit the function of microenvironmental stromal cells necessary to support the growth of differentiating and maturing marrow cells. The mechanism of benzene-induced leukemogenesis is less well understood. Benzene and its metabolites do not function well as mutagens but are highly clastogenic, producing chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchange, and micronuclei. Benzene has been shown to be a multi-organ carcinogen in animals. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that benzene is a human leukemogen. There is need to better define the lower end of the dose-response curve for benzene as a human leukemogen. The application of emerging methods in biologically based risk assessment employing pharmacokinetic and mechanistic data may help to clarify the uncertainties in low-dose risk assessment.

Urinary excretion of unmetabolized benzene as an indicator of benzene exposure

Benzene concentrations in urine samples (Cu, ng/L) from 110 workers exposed to benzene in chemical plants and gasoline pumps were determined by injecting urine supernate into a gas chromatograph. The urine was saturated with anhydrous N2SO4 to facilitate the passage of benzene in the air over the urine. The solvent was stripped from the urine surface and concentrated on an adsorbent substrate (Carbotrap tube) by means of a suction pump (flow rate 150 ml/m). Wash-up of the head space was achieved by simultaneous intake of filtered air through charcoal. Benzene was thermically desorbed and injected in a column (thermal tube disorder, Supelco; 370 degrees C thermal flash; borosilicate capillary glass column SPB-1, 60 m length, 0.75 mm ID, 1 microns film thickness; GC Dani 8580-FID). Benzene concentrations in the urine from 40 non-exposed subjects (20 smokers > 20 cigarette/d and 20 nonsmokers) were also determined [median value of 790 ng/L (10.17 nmol/L) and 131 ng/L (1.70 nmol/L), respectively]. The 8-h time-weighted exposure intensity (Cl, micrograms/m3) of individual workers was monitored by means of charcoal tubes. The median value for exposure to benzene was 736 micrograms/m3 (9.42 mumol/m3) [geometric standard deviation (GSD) = 2.99; range 64 micrograms/m3 (0.82 mumol/m3) to 13,387 micrograms/m3) (171.30 mumol/m3)]. The following linear correlation was found between benzene concentrations in urine (Cu, ng/L) and benzene concentrations in the breathing zone (Cl, micrograms/m3): log(Cu) = 0.645 x log(Cl) + 1.399 r = .559, n = 110, p < .0001 With exclusion of workers who smoked from the study, the correlation between air benzene concentration and benzene measured in urine was: log(Cu) = 0.872 x log(Cl) + 0.6 r = .763, n = 63, p < .0001 The study results indicate that the urinary level of benzene is an indicator of occupational exposure to benzene.

Studies on guanine adducts excreted in rat urine after benzene exposure

Investigations with [14C]benzene indicate the formation of base adducts in vivo. Experiments to separate adducts from urine of [14C]benzene-exposed rats suggest the excretion of eight labeled compounds different from benzene metabolites. In order to obtain information about their structure we synthesized N7-, O6-, C8- and N2-phenylguanine. With regard to their chromatographic properties we compared these phenylguanines with products obtained by alkylation of guanine by metabolites of unlabeled and 14C-labeled benzene in vivo with HPLC with UV detection and liquid scintillation counting. Furthermore GC/MS and ELISA techniques were used to detect N7-phenylguanine. Phenylguanines could not be identified in collected DNA fractions. The labeled compounds detected in urine of [14C]benzene-exposed rats also showed deviations from the HPLC elution patterns of our reference substances. Even N7-phenylguanine, formerly suspected to be a urinary metabolite of benzene in the rat, could not be detected with these refined HPLC methods. With GC/MS a compound was found in trace amounts in concentrated rat urine samples, which had a similar fragmentation pattern to N7-phenylguanine. These data could not be confirmed by a sensitive immunological assay (ELISA). No N7-phenylguanine was detected in purified rat urine samples. The results suggest the excretion of a hydroxylated phenylguanine which may be formed in liver or bone marrow DNA by highly reactive hydroxylated intermediates. The OH group might be lost because of the high temperatures during GC/MS measurements. A hydroxy group at the phenyl-ring of N7-phenylguanine will cause other elution properties in HPLC compared to N7-phenylguanine.

[The measurement of a benzene metabolite, urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA), in man by HPLC]

Benzene is a widely used solvent, currently present in the industrial environment at concentrations in the order of ppm. A valid method of biological monitoring that is easy to perform is needed for assessing occupational exposures. Benzene is metabolized in the body by microsomal cytochrome P-450 mono-oxygenase system into benzene epoxide. Benzene epoxide is metabolized along three different pathways which end in the excretion of trans, trans muconic acid, S-phenyl-mercapturic (S-PMA) and different phenols. A new method has been developed to evaluate urinary S-PMA of subjects exposed to benzene. Human urine is acidified with HCl to PH 1 and passed through a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. The cartridges are washed with diluted HCl and a mixture of water/methanol/acetic acid and then eluted with acidified chloroform. The eluate is dried and reconstituted with a buffer phosphate, then passed through an anionic exchange cartridge (SAX) which is washed with diluted buffer and diluted HCl. S-PMA is recovered by eluting with concentrated buffer and is transformed into S-phenyl-cysteine. Finally, S-phenyl-cysteine is detected by HPLC connected with a fluorescence detector (wavelengths: excitation 330 nm, emission 440 nm) after derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and 2-mercapto-ethanol (MCE). The detection limit of the method is about 0.5 micrograms/l, the recovery of S-PMA is 90.0% and the variation coefficient is 3.8%. The method was checked on urine samples of 8 male non-smokers and 10 smokers: median values of 1.3 and 9.2 micrograms/g creatinine respectively of S-PMA were obtained. A further analysis on urine samples of 66 occupationally exposed workers (smokers and non-smokers) revealed a median value of S-PMA of 46.6 micrograms/g creatinine, compared with a median environmental benzene exposure of 1.99 mg/m3. These results suggest that S-PMA can be regarded in the future as a useful indicator for monitoring individual and collective low-level benzene exposure.

Chromosome alterations in peripheral lymphocytes as indices of lifestyle and genotoxicity

Short-term cultures of human lymphocytes were used to investigate the in vitro metabolism of benzene and its genotoxicity, and to monitor genetic health effects of lifestyles. Metabolic (S9) activation of benzene and its metabolites, catechol, hydroquinone, and phenol, caused an increase in sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) with different optimal concentrations of S9 mix for converting each compound into further reactive forms. The data indicate that catechol and hydroquinone can be optimally metabolized to produce reactive species, presumably benzo(semi)quinones, under conditions of lower metabolic activity than those necessary for phenol and benzene. We have further investigated the correlations between chromosome alterations (SCEs, structural aberrations and micronuclei) in peripheral lymphocytes and individual lifestyles. Healthy lifestyles, or "good health practices" examined were 1) not smoking, 2) not drinking too much alcohol, 3) doing physical exercise regularly, 4) sleeping more than 6 h per night, 5) keeping nutritional balance in meals, 6) not snacking, 7) having breakfast everyday, and 8) not having too much perceived stress. The persons were categorized into 3 groups having good, moderate and poor lifestyles by the number of good health practices they do. Mean frequencies of chromosome alterations in lymphocytes from men with poor lifestyles have been shown to be significantly higher than those in cells from men having good lifestyles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell-specific metabolism in mouse bone marrow stroma: studies of activation and detoxification of benzene metabolites

Two of the major cell types in bone marrow stroma, macrophages and fibroblasts, have been shown to be important regulators of both myelopoiesis and lymphopoiesis. The enzymology relating to cell-specific metabolism of phenolic metabolites of benzene in isolated mouse bone marrow stromal cells was examined. Fibroblastoid stromal cells had elevated glutathione-S-transferase (4.5-fold) and DT-diaphorase (4-fold) activity relative to macrophages, whereas macrophages demonstrated increased UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-GT, 7.5-fold) and peroxidase activity relative to stromal fibroblasts. UDP-GT and glutathione-S-transferase activities in macrophages and fibroblasts, respectively, were significantly greater than those in unpurified white marrow. Aryl sulfotransferase activity could not be detected in either bone marrow-derived macrophages or fibroblasts, and there were no significant differences in GSH content between the two cell types. Because UDP-GT activity is high in macrophages, these data suggest that DT-diaphorase levels would be rate limiting in the detoxification of benzene-derived quinones in bone marrow macrophages. The peroxidase responsible for bioactivation of benzene-derived phenolic metabolites in bone marrow macrophages is unknown but has been suggested to be prostaglandin H synthase (PGS). Hydrogen peroxide, but not arachidonic acid, supported metabolism of hydroquinone to reactive species in bone marrow-derived macrophage lysates. These data do not support a major role for PGS in peroxidase-mediated bioactivation of hydroquinone in bone marrow-derived macrophages, although PGS mRNA could be detected in these cells. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide, but not arachidonic acid, supported metabolism of hydroquinone in a human bone marrow homogenate. Peroxidase-mediated interactions between phenolic metabolites of benzene occurred in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Bioactivation of hydroquinone to species that would bind to acid-insoluble cellular macromolecules was increased by phenol and was markedly stimulated by catechol. Bioactivation of catechol was also stimulated by phenol but was inhibited by hydroquinone. These data define the enzymology and the cell-specific metabolism of benzene metabolites in bone marrow stroma and demonstrate that interactions between phenolic metabolites may contribute to the toxicity of benzene in this critical bone marrow compartment.

trans,trans-Muconic acid, a reliable biological indicator for the detection of individual benzene exposure down to the ppm level

trans,trans-Muconic acid (2,4-hexadienedioic acid) (t,t-MA) is a minor benzene metabolite which can be used as a biological indicator for benzene exposure. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the limits of use of t,t-MA for detection and quantification of occupational exposures to benzene, particularly on an individual scale, phenol being used as the metabolite of reference. A simple and sensitive method previously described by the authors was carried out to analyse t,t-MA in 105 end-of-shift urinary samples from 23 workers exposed to benzene used as an extraction solvent for "concretes" recovery in the perfume industry. Good correlations were found between atmospheric benzene and both metabolites (uncorrected or corrected for creatinine) or between the metabolites themselves, with correlation coefficients from 0.81 to 0.91 (P < 0.0001). Correlation- coefficients were not improved after correction for creatinine. The overall individual benzene exposure range, median, and arithmetic mean were respectively 0.1-75, 4.5, and 9.0 ppm with corresponding t,t-MA excretion of 0.1-47.9, 5.2 and 8.9 mg/l (uncorrected) and phenol excretion of 1.4-298, 30.9, and 42.2 mg/l (uncorrected). In the control group (145 determinations for t,t-MA and 76 for phenol from 79 individuals) the range, median, and arithmetic mean were respectively < 0.04-0.66, 0.08, and 0.13 mg/l (uncorrected t,t-MA) and 1.5-42.0, 9.85 and 11.3 mg/l (uncorrected phenol). t,t-MA was far more specific than phenol and could be easily and practically used to estimate with a given probability the upper or lower corresponding benzene concentrations down to around the ppm level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Internal exposure to organic substances in a municipal waste incinerator

Fifty-three persons occupied in a municipal waste incinerator were examined with respect to their internal exposure to organic substances which may be produced during pyrolysis of organic matter. For this purpose the levels of benzene in blood, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in plasma, and mono- (MCPs), di- (DCPs), tri- (TCPs), tetra- (TCEPs) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) and hydroxypyrene in urine were determined. For control purposes, 431 men and women were examined. Significantly higher values for the workers were found for the excretion of hydroxypyrene [median (m): 0.24 vs 0.11 microgram/l; non-smokers], 2,4/2,5-DCP (m: 10.5 vs 3.9 micrograms/l) and 2,4,5-TCP (m: 1.2 vs 0.8 micrograms/l) and for the HCB level in plasma (m: 4.4 vs 2.8 micrograms/l). For the concentrations of 4-MCP and 2,3,4,6/2,3,5,6-TECP, the controls had significantly higher concentrations in urine than did the workers in the incineration plant (m: 4-MCP 1.7 vs 1.2; 2,3,4,6/2,3,5,6-TECP: 1.2 vs 0.3 micrograms/l). No significant differences between workers and controls were detected with respect to benzene in blood (m: 0.20 vs 0.28 microgram/l; non-smokers), 2,4,6-TCP and PCPs in urine (m: 0.85 vs 0.60 and 2.2 vs 2.2 micrograms/l) or the levels of PCB congeners in plasma (m: sigma 138, 153, 180: 5.6 vs 4.1 micrograms/l). The elevated levels of hydroxypyrene, 2,4/2,5-DCP, 2,4,5-TCP and HCB in biological material may be related to the incineration of the waste. These elevations, however, are very small and are of interest more from the environmental than from the occupational point of view.

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to low levels of benzene

To obtain reference values for the biological monitoring of benzene, the kinetics of benzene were studied in volunteers. Benzene in blood and expired air could easily be followed until the next morning after a 4-h exposure to a benzene concentration of 10 cm3.m-3. Even after exposure to 1.7 cm3.m-3 the benzene levels in the morning blood and expired air samples differed from those in unexposed subjects. One hour after exposure to 10 and 1.7 cm3.m-3 the mean levels of benzene were 238 and 25 nmol.l-1 in blood and 13.2 and 2.5 mumol.m-3 in exhaled air, respectively. It was concluded that, at high benzene levels (approximately 10 cm3.m-3), samples collected 16 h after exposure reflect the body burden of benzene, while at low exposure (< 1 cm3.m-3) samples collected 1 h after exposure may be used to estimate the exposure over the preceding few hours. Exposure to benzene from smoking is a potential confounder in estimating occupational exposure to low levels of benzene.

Co-exposure to gasoline vapor decreases benzene metabolism in Fischer-344 rats

The metabolic interactions of benzene and gasoline vapor were investigated in male Fischer-344 rats. A closed chamber gas-uptake exposure system was used to obtain inhalation uptake curves for benzene alone and benzene in the presence of gasoline vapor. Exposure to benzene as a component of gasoline vapor resulted in a decrease of benzene metabolism. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model of benzene metabolism was used to quantitatively determine the extent of the inhibitory effect of gasoline vapor on benzene metabolism. This observed inhibitory effect cannot be accounted for by the presence of toluene in gasoline vapor.

Reference values for blood benzene in the occupationally unexposed general population

Blood benzene was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 431 "normal" subjects, subdivided into 155 rural subjects and 276 urban subjects. Blood benzene (mean value 262 ng/l) was significantly lower in rural (200 ng/l) than in urban (296 ng/l) workers, as well as differing significantly between 293 non-smokers and 138 smokers (205 ng/l and 381 ng/l, respectively). Among non-smokers, values were significantly higher (307 ng/l) in 76 chemical workers. In the total study population, in 95% of cases blood benzene was less than 718 ng/l, the 95th percentile being 514 ng/l in non-smokers vs 901 ng/l in smokers and 576 ng/l in rural vs 822 ng/l in urban subjects. Within each population subgroup, the difference between non-smokers and smokers was statistically significant, except among office workers (non-smokers 234 ng/l, smokers 304 ng/l). Blood benzene (y) was directly proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked (x) (y = 201 + 12x; r = 0.44; n = 431), and inversely proportional to the interval between the last cigarette and the time at which the blood samples was taken (z) (log y = 6.167-0.0015z; r = -0.461; n = 135). The blood half-life of benzene was about 8h. The multiple correlation between blood benzene (Cb), number of cigarettes per day (x) and time since the last cigarette (z) is: Cb = 417 + 7.2x - 0.41z (n = 135; R = 0.20; P less than 0.00001).

An analysis of exposure rate effects for benzene using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model

A new physiological pharmacokinetic model was used to explore the effect of exposure rate on the rate of formation of several crucial metabolites of benzene. Metabolite formation was compared following exposure to benzene over the course of an 8-hr workday and following a single exposure for 15 min. These exposures were based on the permissible exposure limit and short-term exposure limit of the benzene standard set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The model was parametrized using in vitro and in vivo experimental data on benzene toxicokinetics and metabolism. Ranges, rather than fixed values, were assigned to the parameters. Model predictions show that the amounts of hydroquinone, catechol, and muconaldehyde formed in the body following a peak exposure to 32 ppm of benzene over 15 min are on average 20% higher than those formed following an equivalent dose of 1 ppm over an 8-hr period. The health consequences of these findings and the implications for policy concerning short-term exposure limits are discussed.

[Hepatocellular mechanisms of compensatory processes influenced by environmental chemical factors]

The hepatocellular compensatory mechanisms against chemical pollutants were investigated. They expressed in hypertrophic nucleus-nucleolus structures, increased DNA-synthetizing and proliferative activity of hepatocytes, activated hepatic bile secretion and metabolic rearrangement in hepatocytes.

Age-related changes in disposition and metabolism of benzene in male C57BL/6N mice

Benzene disposition and metabolism were examined as a function of age in male C57BL/6N mice aged 3 and 18 months. Mice received a single oral dose of either 10 or 200 mg/kg 14C-benzene (approximately 25 microCi/kg). Excretion of 14C-derived benzene radioactivity (RA) was monitored in urine, feces, and as exhaled 14CO2 from 0 to 72 hr, and as exhaled unmetabolized benzene from 0 to 6 hr. At 10 mg/kg 14C-benzene, urinary elimination was the major route of excretion in both 3- and 18-month mice. Urinary excretion of 14C-derived benzene RA was significantly decreased in 18- vs. 3-month mice at 4, 6, 24, and 48 hr, while fecal excretion was significantly increased at 72 hr. Elimination of 14C-benzene as 14CO2 and unmetabolized 14C-benzene was also increased in 18- vs. 3-month mice at this dose. Hydroquinone glucuronide (HQG), phenylsulfate (PS), and muconic acid (MUC) were the major urinary metabolites at 10 mg/kg 14C-benzene in both 3- and 18-month mice, representing approximately 40, 28, and 15% of an administered dose of 14C-benzene. Smaller amounts of phenyl glucuronide (4.0%), pre-phenyl mercapturic acid (1.2%), and catechol glucuronide (0.5%) were also detected. No significant differences were found with age in the percentage of an administered dose of benzene excreted as the various metabolites at 10 mg/kg. At 200 mg/kg 14C-benzene, the total percentage of 14C-derived benzene RA eliminated in urine within 72 hr was not significantly different with age, but elimination at early time points (4, 6, and 8 hr) was significantly decreased in 18- vs. 3-month mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of three physiologically based pharmacokinetic models of benzene disposition

We assess the goodness of fit of three physiologically based models of benzene pharmacokinetics to experimental data in Fischer-344 rats. These models were independently developed and published. Large differences in the quality of the fit are observed. In addition, the parameter values leading to acceptable fits are spread over the entire range of physiologically plausible values and can be quite different from average or standard values. On the other hand, choosing standard values for the parameters does not ensure good predictions of all tissue levels. These results emphasize the difficulty of a rigorous calibration of physiological models, and the need for further research in this area, including precise experimental determination of parameter values. Physiological models are powerful tools, but for risk assessment purposes simpler models, making equivalent use of the crucial data, are probably preferable.

Mechanisms of benzene carcinogenesis: application of a physiological model of benzene pharmacokinetics and metabolism

A physiological pharmacokinetic model for benzene, incorporating metabolic transformations, is used to explore why benzene, but not phenol--its primary metabolite--is carcinogenic at many sites in rats. The model has been parametrized using in vitro or in vivo experimental data. Ranges, rather than fixed values, were assigned to the parameters. The model-predicted levels of phenol and hydroquinone in the tissues are consistently higher when phenol, rather than benzene, is administered. This result demonstrates that the differential carcinogenicity of the two compounds is not explainable in the context of this pharmacokinetic analysis. It also indicates that the phenol-hydroquinone pathway alone is unlikely to account for the carcinogenic effects of benzene. Other metabolites must therefore also be involved.

Significance of exposure to benzene and other toxic compounds through environmental tobacco smoke

In order to assess the uptake of benzene from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and to estimate its contribution to the total body burden of benzene observed in non-smokers, two experimental studies have been conducted. Controlled exposure to high levels of ETS equivalent to 10 ppm CO for 9 h and 20 ppm for 8 h resulted in a nonsignificant increase in blood benzene levels and a significant increase in exhaled CO, COHb and cotinine in serum and urine. The slightly rising blood concentration of benzene following experimental ETS exposure was paralleled by an increased exhalation of benzene and aromatic hydrocarbons and in contrast to blood levels, this increase was significant. The blood levels of benzene obtained during exposure were comparable to those observed at the time of admission to the laboratory, when biomarkers of ETS uptake, e.g. cotinine in serum and urine, were at the limit of detection, thus demonstrating that these background levels were not from ETS exposure. No difference in the urinary excretion of phenol, the main metabolite of benzene, was found during the experimental periods. The background levels of urinary phenol in unexposed nonsmokers were rather high, demonstrating that phenol excreted in urine must be formed from several endogenous and exogenous precursors. In the light of our findings it is highly questionable whether exposure to benzene from ETS under real life conditions poses a cancerogenic risk to the general population, which is measurable today or in the future by toxicological or epidemiological methods.

In vivo metabolic interactions of benzene and toluene

The metabolic interactions of benzene and toluene co-exposure were investigated in male Fischer rats. A closed recirculated exposure system was used to obtain inhalation uptake curves for individual chemicals as well as for a mixture of the two compounds. Pharmacokinetic parameters for benzene and toluene individually were determined in previous experimental studies. These values were incorporated into a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model which simulated the inhalation uptake process for both chemicals simultaneously. An optimal fit to the uptake curves for simultaneous exposure was obtained by adjusting the metabolic interaction terms for each chemical. Mutual suppression of metabolism was apparent. Toluene more effectively inhibited benzene metabolism than the reverse. This simulation approach for analyzing gas uptake data provided a method to determine the metabolic interactions occurring upon inhalation exposure to two different chemicals. Such analyses will prove useful in improving predictive toxicokinetic models.

Analysis of OSHA's short-term-exposure limit for benzene

A review of the data cited by OSHA in its final standard for exposure to benzene provides no clear scientific basis for a short-term-exposure limit (STEL). While leukemia and bone marrow toxicity were related to cumulative exposures of benzene received by workers, no evidence was presented that the rate of exposure at a given cumulative exposure contributed to the effects. Likewise, animal experiments suggested that exposures of several hours duration at a given level of benzene induced more bone-marrow toxicity when administered 3 rather than 5 days/week but did not indicate that the rate of exposure over shorter time scales played any role. The toxicokinetics of benzene in humans were also studied to determine whether nonlinear dose-rate effects would be likely to result from peak exposures associated with an exposure dose of 8 ppm-hr, which is allowed under the permissible exposure limit. This led to three conclusions. First, the concentration of benzene in the bone marrow should be sufficiently damped that the impact of a peak exposure should be minimal. Second, the peak concentration of benzene in the liver should be within the capacity of the cytochrome P450 system to maintain first-order metabolism. And finally, the maximum blood concentration of metabolites should be well below levels which have been shown to induce toxic effects in vitro. Taken together, the toxicokinetic relationships and the absence of clear experimental dose-rate effects suggest that the current STEL for benzene is unwarranted, assuming that 8-hr average exposures are kept below 1 ppm. While the argument can be made, on the basis of health considerations, that the existing 8-hr limit for benzene is too high, the rate of exposure during short periods appears to be irrelevant. Thus, we recommend that health professionals focus upon long-term exposures to benzene received by large numbers of workers rather than devote scarce resources to evaluate transient air levels.

A study on urinary thioethers by detecting N-acetylcysteine and thiophenol after alkaline hydrolysis

A method is described for the selective determination of thiol compounds liberated by alkaline hydrolysis of urine. It is based on the procedure described by Newton et al. Two thiol compounds were detected selectively: N-acetylcysteine and thiophenol. The following results were obtained: 1. On alkaline hydrolysis (at room temperature) among other thiols N-acetylcysteine is released. The amount of NAC increases after administration to rats of compounds, which directly or after metabolisation are bound by glutathione conjugation, such as diethylmaleate. 2. In these cases the amount of total thiols and NAC released by alkaline hydrolysis are closely related to each other. 3. Monitoring urines of smokers and non-smokers revealed a significant difference between non-smokers and smokers of the released NAC. So it may be concluded that exposure to certain electrophilic agents reacting with GSH increases the NAC as well as total thiols detected after alkaline hydrolysis of urine. 2. On alkaline hydrolysis (at 95 degrees C) thiophenol can be detected. Evidence is presented that thiophenol is derived from the benzene metabolite S-phenyl-N-acetyl-cysteine: 1. after treatment with radioactive benzene of rats the peak of the thiophenol-derivative elutes together with a radioactive peak; 2. inhalation of benzene increases the peak of the thiophenol-derivative in the urine of a human volunteer. 3. The amount of thiophenol detected by the described method in the urines of smokers is increased in comparison to non-smokers. This is in accordance with the observation that the benzene concentration is elevated in the blood of smokers.