6533b82cfe1ef96bd128ff78

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Evaluation of inflammatory reactions and genotoxic effects after exposure of nasal respiratory epithelia to benzene.

subject

description

<i>Background:</i> The aim of this study was to identify inflammatory changes as well as genotoxic effects in cultivated human respiratory epithelial cells after in vitro exposure to benzene. <i>Methods:</i> Primary cell cultures of nasal respiratory mucosa were exposed to synthetic air enriched with 5,000 µg/m<sup>3</sup> of benzene at an air/liquid interface over 8 h and then to synthetic air only over the following 24 h. Controls were continuously exposed to synthetic air over 32 h. To detect inflammatory reactions, release of prostaglandin E<sub>2</sub> was quantified using a competitive enzyme immunoassay. The Comet Assay was used to quantify the ratio of apoptotic cells with benzene-induced DNA fragmentation. <i>Results:</i> Prostaglandin release as well as DNA fragmentation increased after 8 h of exposure and remained elevated throughout the following 24 h but did not increase in controls. <i>Conclusions:</i> High concentrations of benzene induce an inflammatory response and possibly fragmentation of DNA in respiratory epithelial cells. These findings have to be discussed with respect to possible mutagenic or carcinogenic effects of benzene in nasal respiratory cells.