Hematologic and Selected Hepatic Changes Produced by Substituted p-Bensoquinones in the Rat

摘要

Rats were given daily oral doses of 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (MBQ) or 2-ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (EBQ) at the LD sub 05 level for four days. There were 5.6 to 14.8% decreases of blood heme parameters in rats treated with substituted p-benzoquinone compared to agar-treated controls. Benzoquinone treatment resulted in 67% increases of blood leukocyte counts. Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b sub 5 contents were decreased 11.9 to 26.5% in benzoquinone-treated rats. Aniline hydroxylase activity decreased 25.7 to 42.7%. There was no change in liver weight, microsomal protein, nonprotein sulfhydryls, or GSH-s-Transferase activity. The results of this study suggest that substituted p-benzoquinones may have exerted their toxic action in rats by altering heme metabolism. (Author)