ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the central nervous system symptoms and alterations in the blood indicators in rats within a short term after benzene poisoning.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Twenty-four female SD rats were randomized into 4 equal groups to receive intraperitoneal injection of low-, medium- or high-dose benzene (39.05, 78.11, and 234.33 mg/kg, respectively) or peanut oil. Blood samples were taken from the rats via the femoral artery 24 h after the injections for routine blood test and liver and kidney function test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intraperitoneal injection of benzene at a high dose, but not at a low or medium dose, caused obvious symptoms in the central nervous system. Benzene either at a low or medium dose did not produce obvious changes in routine blood test or liver and kidney function test as compared with the control group, but a high dose resulted in significant changes in WBC, PLT, ALT and AST (P<0.05). Abnormalities in the renal function were found in none of the groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to high-dose benzene can result in abnormalities in the central nervous system, routine blood indicators and liver function, but does not obviously affect the kidney function in rats.</p>