Modulation of benzene toxicity by an interferon inducer (6MFA).

Repeated intraperitoneal administration of benzene (1.0 ml/kg body wt) for 3 days produced leucopenia, lymphocytopenia and an increased number of nucleated cells in the bone marrow and significantly decreased organ weights of thymus (P less than 0.001) and spleen (P less than 0.001) in female albino rats. Iron content, lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity of the liver and bone marrow were significantly increased as a result of benzene exposure. Prior administration of 6MFA, an interferon inducer with immunomodulating potential, was found to ameliorate some of the adverse effects of benzene as well as restoration of hepatic architecture histologically. Lipid peroxidation and iron content were both normalised, whereas superoxide dismutase activity was further increased and the number of lymphocytes and bone marrow cells returned to normal. Pretreatment of animals with 6MFA was able to enhance the SRBC antibody titre in benzene-treated immunosuppressed animals. The beneficial effects of 6MFA in the amelioration of the acute toxicity of benzene therefore assume certain significance.