Benzene myeloclastogenicity: a function of its metabolism.

Using the micronucleus test we have found no significant difference between germ-free and conventional (non-germ-free) male CD-1 mice gavaged twice with 440 or 880 mg benzene/kg. Hence, the higher myeloclastogenicity observed previously with the p.o. (4-6 times) than with the i.p. route of benzene administration was ruled out as being due to the involvement of gut flora in benzene biotransformation. Pretreatment of males with 3-methylcholanthrene or beta-naphthoflavone, inducers of P-448 monooxygenase, but not phenobarbital, an inducer of P-450, significantly enhanced the myeloclastogenic effect of a single oral dose of benzene (440 mg/kg). Single oral doses of phenol, catechol, or hydroquinone (250, 150, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) failed to reproduce the potent myeloclastogenic effect of benzene. In fact, only hydroquinone was mildly clastogenic. The relation between benzene's myeloclastogenicity and metabolism is discussed.