Role of biological antioxidants in benzanthrone toxicity

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that benzanthrone, an anthraquinone dye intermediate, caused significant depletion of ascorbic acid (AsA). In this investigation the effect of benzanthrone on the status of different forms of AsA and other bio-antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH) was studied. Oral administration of benzanthrone (50, 125 or 250 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a significant increase of urinary AsA levels with a concomitant decrease in the urinary dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) content in both rats and guinea-pigs. Benzanthrone caused a dose-dependent decrease in hepatic, adrenal and serum AsA levels with a subsequent increase in DHA and diketogulonic acid (DKA) levels in both rats and guinea-pigs. Following benzanthrone treatment, rats showed an increase in the scorbutic index (to 1.01-1.21) of the liver, adrenal glands and serum compared to controls (0.12-0.24). The scorbutic indices of liver, adrenal glands and serum were also substantially increased (to 3.61-11.20) in benzanthrone-treated guinea-pigs compared to controls (0.16-0.38). Single oral administration of benzanthrone to guinea-pigs caused a dose-dependent depletion of GSH in liver (15-51%), adrenal glands (27-64%) and serum (32-86%). Furthermore, the depletion of GSH by benzanthrone in rats was of a lesser degree. This suggests that continued exposure of guinea-pigs to benzanthrone may lead to scurvy-type changes in this animal species but not to the same extent in rats, since the latter has the enzymatic capacity to synthesise AsA. Therefore, it can be hypothesised that benzanthrone per se, or its metabolites, interact with reduced GSH thereby causing its depletion. Furthermore, in order to replenish the depleted GSH levels, AsA might be oxidized to DHA and hence the decrease in AsA with the simultaneous increase in DHA was observed.

Effect‐directed analysis of sediment‐associated algal toxicants at selected hot spots in the River Elbe basin with a special focus on bioaccessibility

“…7H-Benzo-[de]anthracen-7-one, as identified in P15, has been detected in atmospheric aerosols [34] and is assumed to be formed during combustion processes. It is also used as a dye intermediate for the synthesis of vat and disperse dyes [35]. The identification of 7H-benzo[de]anthracen-7-one fits well with the facts that Přelouč is known for dye production and P15 is deeply red colored.…”

Comparative effect of benzanthrone and 3-bromobenzanthrone on hepatic xenobiotic metabolism and anti-oxidative defense system in guinea pigs

“…Earlier studies in this regard support the idea that BA depletes AsA levels in blood, adrenal and liver of rats, mice and guinea pigs (Garg 1990;Dwivedi et al 2001). Further, the greater degree of depletion of AsA and GSH by 3-BBA than by BA indicates that the defense mechanism of hepatic cells may be diminished more by 3-BBA.…”

“…Animals of group II and group III received oral administration of 3-BBA and BA respectively in 0.5 ml groundnut oil at a dose level of 50 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 days (Dwivedi 1995). The dose of 3-bromobenzanthrone was based on the dose-response curve for benzanthrone that has been published earlier (Dwivedi et al 2001). The animals were killed by cervical dislocation 24 h after the last treatment.…”

Identification strategy for unknown pollutants using high-resolution mass spectrometry: Androgen-disrupting compounds identified through effect-directed analysis

“…An important source is its use as a dye intermediate for the synthesis of vat and disperses dyes [29]. Benzanthrone is also detected in atmospheric aerosols and combustion-related particulate emissions [30].…”