engleski

Bone marrow granulocyte reserve in experimental benzene poisoning

Benzene exposure may cause blood dyscrasias including aplastic anaemia, both in humans and experimental animals. Methods available for early detection of benzene induced hematotoxicity are still unsatisfactory. It has been recognized that corticosteroid administration in humans and animals is accompanied by an increase in total neutrophil count in the peripheral blood, reflecting the size of the bone marrow granulocyte reserve. The aim of this study was to determine granulocyte response to dexamethasone stimulation in experimental benzene poisoning. Subcutaneous benzene administration at doses of 400 or 880 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week for 3 or 6 weeks to male rats was followed by a statistically significant decrease in the total number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes as compared to control animals, depending on a dose and the duration of benzene exposure. Bone marrow granulocyte reserve, determined after a single dexamethasone dose (1 mg i.v.), was significantlly decreased in benzene treated animals in comparison with controls, but no significant difference was found between two benzene doses or with respect to the duration of treatment. In rats exposed to benzene in lower doses over a longer treatment interval, the lymphocyte count after three weeks recovery period, was still significantly lower than in controls and granulocyte reserve did not show adequte recovery in comparison with the values obtained during benzene treatment. The results indicated that bone marrow granulocyte reserve evaluation ma be valuable for early detection of benzene-induced hematologic damage.

benzene; granulocyte reserve; hematotoxicity

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