title: [Evaluation of combined toxic action of benzene and ethanol in the rat fetus].
abstract: It has been well evidenced that benzene exerts toxic action on mammalian fetuses. This effect may be probably modified by several xenobiotics metabolized by mixed function oxidase system. In this study the effect of ethanol on benzene metabolism and benzene-induced fetotoxicity in rats was investigated. Pregnant female Wistar rats were exposed to benzene vapor for 6 h/day from Days 8 through 15 of gestation at concentrations of 1500 and 3000 mg/m3 or combination ethanol and benzene at the same concentrations. Ethanol was administered intragastrically at a dose of 2.5 g/kg directly before exposure to benzene or 18 hrs before. An air-exposed or ethanol treated control rats were also examined. At Day 20 of gestation, the pregnant females were sacrificed and examined for possible reproductive abnormalities. The fetuses were observed for skeletal and visceral changes. The maternal blood ethanol concentrations were 180 or 0 mg/100 ml one or 18 hrs after administration of this compound, respectively. Ethanol co-administration with benzene in principle had no effect on the metabolism of benzene, whereas it reduced the conversion of benzene to free and conjugated phenol when given 18 hrs before. Ethanol administered directly before exposure to benzene increased frequency of incidence of resorption, whereas it had no effect when was given 18 hrs before. Delay of ossification of fetuses after exposure to combination of benzene and ethanol was less pronounced than in animals exposed to benzene alone. The results indicate that the fetotoxicity of benzene may be modified by ethanol.
authors.affiliation: Zakładu Biochemii Toksykologicznej, Katedry Toksykologii, Akademii Medycznej im. M. Kopernika, Krakowie.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dobrzańska-Tatarczuch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Starek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D001554:Benzene
vernacular_title: Ocena łacznego działania toksycznego benzenu i etanolu na płód szczura.