Identification of benzene metabolites in dermal fibroblasts as nonphenolic: regulation of cell viability, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and elastin by benzene metabolites.
The skin is exposed to benzene and its derivatives, prevalent environmental chemicals. They may impair the structural integrity of the skin by increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1; degrades structural collagen) and elastin, synthesized primarily by the dermal fibroblasts. We examined the metabolism of benzene in dermal fibroblasts and identified the benzene metabolites as toluene, benzaldehyde, aniline and benzoic acid. These metabolites were not toxic to the cells with regard to cell viability, apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, unlike the phenolic benzene metabolites (hydroquinone, t-butyl hydroquinone and phenol) or hydrogen peroxide. Toluene and phenol, which compose cigarette smoke, and benzaldehyde stimulated MMP-1 and/or elastin expression. In summary, the dermal fibroblasts metabolize benzene to nonphenolic metabolites that are less toxic to the cellular components than the phenolic benzene derivatives. Toluene, benzaldehyde and phenol can directly cause facial wrinkling and impaired structural integrity by upregulating MMP-1 and/or elastin.
Philips
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N
Biology and Chemistry/Biochemistry, Georgian Court College, 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, N.J. 08701, USA. Philips@georgian.edu
Burchill
D
D
O'Donoghue
D
D
Keller
T
T
Gonzalez
S
S
D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001554:Benzene / Q000378:metabolism*; D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019817:Benzoic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004549:Elastin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D019800:Phenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D014050:Toluene / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
D000814:Aniline Compounds; D001547:Benzaldehydes; D001555:Benzene Derivatives; D006873:Hydroquinones; D019800:Phenol; D014050:Toluene; D019817:Benzoic Acid; D004549:Elastin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C018855:2-tert-butylhydroquinone; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; D001554:Benzene; C023650:aniline; C032175:benzaldehyde; C031927:hydroquinone