RESUMO
Time-dependent effect of benzene, a potent carcinogenic industrial solvent, on lipid peroxidaiton and associated mechanisms has been studied in liver and kidney of rats. Significant differences were observed in the values of urinary phenol, microsomal malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH) and cytochrome P4502E1 in rats treated with benzene in morning and evening hours. Higher were the values for urinary phenol and hepatic microsomal malondialdehyde in rats administered benzene in evening hours. Contrarily, higher were the values for GSH and cytochrome P4502E1 in rats treated with benzene in morning hours. Increased microsomal lipid peroxidation has been attributed to low GSH status, whereas increased phenol concentration could be related to low activity of cytochrome P4502E1 in the liver of rats in evening hours. It is concluded that circadian rhythmicity in hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme system and GSH contributes in toxicity of benzene. The results are important from occupational health point of view.