Kinetic studies on sex difference in susceptibility to chronic benzene intoxication--with special reference to body fat content.

Biological Monitoring of Exposure to Benzene in Petrol Pump Workers and Dry Cleaners.

“…Individual differences in phenol concentration in urine are large. Sex differences in benzene intoxication have also been reported in man and laboratory animals 24,25) . Although the activities of liver drug metabolizing enzymes is increased by chronic alcohol administration 26) , it was not known whether the consumption of alcohol can affect the susceptibility of workers to the toxic effects of solvents in their work environment.…”

Exposure to methylene chloride. Content in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

“…Sato ,et a1. reported such conditions in both rats and humans, and they feel that ,the lower rate of excretion in women is mainly ascribable to the fact that their fat stores are larger than men's (17). However, the material with human subjects was small, and the magnitude of fat stores was not determined.…”

“…Interindividual constitutiona,l differences with respect to uptake, distributi<m, elimination and the risk of harmful effects have been discussed (7,16,17). Adipose tissue is of major interest in this context since solvents display 'their greatest affinity for this type of tissue.…”

Pharmacokinetics of organic solvent vapors in relation to their toxicity.

“…This difference may result in the different dispo sition of these fat-soluble substances between the sexes. In fact, our kinetic study has revealed that the rate of benzene elimination is slower in women than in men and that the slower elimination in women is primarily due to the bulky distribution of fat tissue (52). Women are considered to be more susceptible to benzene-induced hemotoxicity (6).…”

“…In fact, foodrestricted rats eliminated benzene more rapidly than did normally fed rats . This occurrence may explain why food restriction prevents benzene toxicity despite its ability to enhance benzene metabolism (52).…”