Changes in biochemical and physiological indices in animals produced by the combined effect of benz [a] pyrene and phenol.

Early energy changes in lungs, liver, and kidneys during the introduction of a benz a pyrene and phenol (as the possible carcinogen activator) were studied. It was observed that 10 days after a single instance introduction of 5 mg benz a pyrene per 0.9% NaCl (60 rats), oxidative phosphorylation in the lungs and livers is disturbed in the test rats, accompanied by a reduction of adenine nucleotides in these tissues. It is assumed that at this stage, the detoxication of benz a pyrene is intensified by free oxidation systems and by the respiratory chain of mitochondria. A chronic 3-month exposure to benz a pyrene and phenol (150 rats, each 5 mg of benz a pyrene per month intratracheally and 0.4 mg/m3 of phenol round-the-clock) results in greater disturbances of the energy exchange in the lungs, liver and kidneys. Benz a pyrene and phenol, individually and in combination, inhibit oxidative phosphorylation in the lungs. This significantly decreases the content of adenine nucleotides in this tissue. Activation of anaerobic glycolysis (twofold) and of aerobic glycolysis (eightfold) does not make up for the energy insufficiency in the tissue. The effect of benz a pyrene and phenol in the liver also results in suppressing oxidative phosphorylation and in the activation of glycolysis (anaerobic 2.5 times, the aerobic 3.7 times). Changes in the bioenergy of the kidneys are not as great. Phenol in its combined effect with benz[a]pyrene intensifies the effect of the latter, as shown primarily to the greater activation of anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis in the lungs and livers of test rats. The observed disturbances as concern the weight dynamics of the animals (weight loss in test rats), vitamin metabolism (their decrease in the organs in in urine) and hemopoiesis of red blood cells (erythropenia) attest to the toxic effect of benz a pyrene phenol on the organism, which is greater in the case of the combined action of the studied agents. No changes were discerned in the morphology of white blood cells.