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


METHODS
Primary cell cultures of nasal respiratory mucosa were exposed to synthetic air enriched with 5,000 microg/m(3) 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(2) was quantified using a competitive enzyme immunoassay. The Comet Assay was used to quantify the ratio of apoptotic cells with benzene-induced DNA fragmentation.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Mainz School of Medicine, Mainz, Germany. gosepath@hno.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Jan
J
Gosepath
Nina
N
Grebneva
Juergen
J
Brieger
Wolf J
WJ
Mann
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002923:Cilia / Q000187:drug effects; D020552:Comet Assay; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D001554:Benzene; D015232:Dinoprostone