Dermal exposure to m-xylene leads to increasing oxidative species and low molecular weight DNA levels in rat skin.
Dermal absorption of organic solvents, such as m-xylene, can lead to skin inflammation and pathological changes within hours after exposure. This study detected oxidative species formation and low molecular weight (LMW) DNA in rat skin as potential indicators of m-xylene-induced skin injury. At 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after the beginning of a 1-h exposure, skin samples were removed and analyzed for oxidative species formation and LMW DNA analysis. At 2 h, mean oxidative species levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) above unexposed samples. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) LMW DNA values were observed at 2, 4, and 6 h compared to unexposed controls. These results show that oxidative species formation and LMW DNA levels in the skin may serve as indicators for predicting safe exposure levels to m-xylene and other volatile organic solvents.
Rogers
J V
JV
Geo-Centers, Inc., 2856 G. Street (AFRL/HEST), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, USA.
Gunasekar
P G
PG
Garrett
C M
CM
McDougal
J N
JN
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014992:Xylenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
D016877:Oxidants; D014992:Xylenes; D004247:DNA; C031285:3-xylene