Summary
The serum complement level was determined in 79 persons subject to occupational exposure to benzene, toluene and xylene. In 62 of them the complement level was lower than the mean value of the control group. The mean value of the exposed persons is also statistically significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.01). These findings are consistent with previous data suggesting the involvement of immunologic factors in the pathologic mechanism of exposure to benzene and its homologues.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alekseeva, O. G., Zorina, L. A.: Autoantibodies following chronic experimental exposure to small doses of benzene (Russ.). Gig. Tr. prof. Zabol. 13, 30 (1969).
Boje, H., Benkel, W., Heiniger, H. J.: Untersuchungen zur Leukopoese im Knochenmark der Ratte nach chronischer Benzol-Inhalation. Blut 21, 250 (1970).
Cochrane, C. G., Dixon, F. J.: Cell and tissue damage through antigen-antibody complex. In: Miescher, P. A., Müller-Eberhard, H. J., Eds., Textbook of immunopathology, Sect. I: General immunopathology, Vol. I, pp. 94–110. New York-London: Grune and Stratton 1968.
Colten, H. R.: Ontogeny of the human complement system: In vitro biosynthesis of individual complement components by fetal tissues. J. clin. Invest. 51, 725 (1972).
Colten, H. R., Brosos, T., Rapp, H. J.: In vitro synthesis of the first component of complement by guinea pig small intestine. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 56, 1158 (1966).
Geiger, H., Day, N., Good, R. A.: Ontogenic development and synthesis of hemolytic C 8 by piglet tissues. J. Immunol. 108, 1092 (1972).
Grzybek-Hryncewicz, K., Jelewska-Kaniakowa, Z.: Serum complement in viral hepatitis. Arch. Immunol. et Ther. Exp. 20, 189 (1972).
Lange, A., Smolik, R., Zatoński, W., Glazman, H.: Leukocyte agglutinins in workers exposed to benzene, toluene and xylene. Int. Arch. Arbeitsmed. 31, 45–50 (1973a).
Lange, A., Smolik, R., Zatoński, W., Szymańska, J.: Serum immunoglobulin levels in workers exposed to benzene, toluene and xylene. Int. Arch. Arbeitsmed. 31, 37–44 (1973b).
Littleton, C., Kessler, D., Burkholder, P. M.: Cellular basis for synthesis of the fourth component of guinea-pig complement as determined by a haemolytic plaque technique. Immunology 18, 691 (1970).
Lutz, W.: Statistical methods as applied to immunological data. In: Weir, D. M., Ed., Handbook of experimental immunology, Appendices, pp. 1163–1206. Oxford-Edinburgh: Blackwell 1967.
Moeschlin, S., Speck, B.: Experimental studies on the mechanism of action of benzene on the bone marrow. Acta haemat. (Basel) 38, 104 (1967).
Müller-Eberhard, H. J.: The serum complement system. In: Miescher, P. A., Müller-Eberhard, H. J., Eds., Textbook of immunopathology, Sect. I: General immunopathology, Vol. I, pp. 33–47. New York-London: Grune and Stratton 1968.
Petz, L. D., Fink, D. J., Letsky, E. A., Fudenberg, H. H., Muller-Eberhard, H. J.: In vitro metabolism of component. I. Metabolism of the third component (C' 3) in acquired hemolytic anemia. J. clin. Invest. 47, 2469 (1968).
Revnova, N. V.: Concerning auto-immunity shift in chronic occupational benzol poisoning (Russ.). Gig. Tr. prof. Zabol. 7, 38 (1962).
Rubin, D. J., Brosos, T., Rapp, H. J., Colten, H. R.: Synthesis of the second component of guinea pig complement in vitro. J. Immunol. 106, 295 (1971).
Schur, P. H., Sandson, J.: Immunologic factors and clinical activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. New Engl. J. Med. 273, 533 (1968).
Slopek, S., Grzybek-Hryncewicz, K., ładosz, J.: The role of complement and natural antibodies in the process of phagocytosis. Arch. Immunol. et Ther. Exp. 10, 559 (1962).
Wedgwood, R. J., Janeway, C. A.: Technique for complement titration of human sera. Pediatrics 11, 569 (1953).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smolik, R., Grzybek-Hryncewicz, K., Lange, A. et al. Serum complement level in workers exposed to benzene, toluene and xylene. Int. Arch. Arbeitsmed 31, 243–247 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539244
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539244