• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.99-102
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• 2001

Toluene is mainly metabolized in liver by oxidative pathway. Oxigen free radicals occur through the process of toluene metabolism Therefore it causes tissue and cell min by the oxygen free radicals from the metabolism of toluene. Melatonin acts as a highly efficient free radical scavenger that protects cells from damage by oxygen free radicals. To test this hypothesis, toluene hepatotoxicity was induced by an abdominal injection of toluene. To see if the melatonin protects the rat's liver, melatonin was administrated orally, at the time of each toluene injection. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanin aminotransferase(ALT), latic dehydrogenase(LDH) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) levels in serum were measured to estimate hepatic function. Malondialdehyde(MDA), which gives an indirect index of oxidative injury was also measured. Hippuric acid is the last metabolic Production of toluene was measured by HPLC. There were significantly higher in AST, ALT, LDH, MDA and hippuric acid in toluene group, but there were no significant difference in melatonin group except ALT and hippuric acid. There was significantly lower in ALP level in toluene group, but there was no significant difference melatonin group, suggesting a significant hepatotoxicity due to oxygen free radicals through the process of toluene metabolism Melatonin treatment significantly protected hepatic function and free radical-mediated injury in the liver against toluene-induced changes. Accordingly, this study shows that melatonin is helpful in protecting liver injury by acute toluene intoxication.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2013

The effects of toluene in dimethylformamide (DMF)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated with respect to the induction of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) and the activities of related enzymes. The rats were treated intraperitoneally with the organic solvents in olive oil (Single treatment groups: 450 [D1], 900 [D2], 1,800 [D3] mg DMF, and 346 mg toluene [T] per kg of body weight; Combined treatment groups: D1+T, D2+T, and D3+T) once a day for three days, while the control group received just the olive oil. Each group consisted of 4 rats. The activities of the xenobiotic metabolic enzymes and the hepatic morphology were assessed. The immunoblots indicated that the expression of CYP2E1 was considerably enhanced depending on the dosage of DMF and the CYP2E1 blot densities were significantly increased after treatment with both DMF and toluene, compared to treatment with DMF alone. The activities of glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase were either decreased or remained unaltered after treatment with DMF and toluene, whereas the lipid peroxide levels were increased with increasing dosage of DMF and toluene. The liver tissue in the D3 group (1,800 mg/kg of DMF) showed signs of microvacuolation in the central vein region and a large necrotic zone around the central vein, in rats treated with both DMF (1,800 mg/kg) and toluene (D3T). These results suggest that the expression of CYP2E1 is induced by DMF and enhanced by toluene. These changes may have facilitated the accelerated formation of N-methylformamide (NMF) from toluene, and the generated NMF may directly induce liver damage.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.