title: The role of catechols and free radicals in benzene toxicity: an oxidative DNA damage pathway.
abstract: Benzene is a widespread volatile compound and an environmental contaminant. Since it causes important toxic effects in workers exposed to low levels, long-term exposure to this compound has been extensively studied. Leukemia, blood disorders, bone marrow depression, and some types of cancer are directly related to benzene-initiated toxicity. Bioactivation of benzene can lead to the formation of hazardous metabolites such as phenol, hydroquinone, and catechol. Catechol forms semiquinones and reactive quinones that are presumed to play an important role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS formation can directly induce single and double strand breaks in the DNA, oxidized nucleotides, and hyper-recombination, and consequently produces deleterious genetic changes. In this review, we have addressed the cytotoxic effects of benzene and its main metabolite, catechol, focusing on the oxidative pathway and further DNA damage.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Cajal, CSIC; E-28002 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Madureira
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Capani
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aon-Bertolino
authors.forename: Ezequiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saraceno
authors.forename: Lisandro Diego
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Giraldez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D005609:Free Radicals; D001554:Benzene