Abstract
Toxicity of environmental pollutants may be expressed as combined effects of a chemicals. Benzene, a proven hematotoxic agent, frequently occurs with toluene in cocontaminated groundwater. Groups of CD-1 male mice were exposed continuously for 4 weeks to benzene (166 mg/l), toluene (80 and 325 mg/l), and combinations of benzene (166 mg/l) + toluene (80 mg/l or 325 mg/l) in drinking water. Benzene-induced anemia was alleviated by simultaneous toluene treatment. Leukopenia and lymphopenia were observed in the case of benzene only and benzene + toluene (80 mg/l)-treated mice. The cytopenia, however, was less severe in the benzene + toluene (325 mg/l)-treated group. Immunotoxicity induced by benzene treatment alone was characterized by involution of thymic mass and suppressions of both B- and T-cell mitogeneses, mixed lymphocyte culture response to alloantigens, the tumor lytic ability of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes as determined by51Cr-release assay, and antibody production response to T-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells). IL-2 secretion by Con A-stimulated mouse T-cells was decreased in the benzene-treated group. Toluene (325 mg/l) completely inhibited these adverse effects when it was coadministered with benzene, while the low dose of toluene (80 mg/l) did not protect against benzene-induced depressions of immune functions. Toluene administered alone at levels up to 325 mg/l showed no obvious immunotoxic effects. Results of this study demonstrated that toluene, in sufficient amounts, has an antagonistic effect on benzene immunotoxicity.
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Hsieh, G.C., Parker, R.D.R., Sharma, R.P. et al. Subclinical effects of groundwater contaminants. Arch Toxicol 64, 320–328 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972993
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972993