[Activity of beta-glucuronidase in peripheral blood leukocytes in rats subjected to subacute benzene vapor poisoning].

The work presents the results of investigations on the activity of beta-glucoronidase (B-GR) in neutrophiles and lymphocytes of peripheral blood in rats of Wistar strain exposed to benzene vapours of the concentration 27000 mg/m3, 6 hrs daily for 10 consecutive days. The activity of the enzyme in both types of cells was determined by cytochemical method; Hayashi et al. After an exposure to benzene, a statistically significant reduction of the number of granulocytes and lymphocytes was found. The activity of B-GR in granulocytes was lowered 5--times compared with the initial value (before exposure). The per cent of B-GR--positive lymphocytes was not changed. Instead, apparent changes in proportional values of individual types of enzyme--positive cells were found. The per cent of granular lymphocytes decreased, and at the same time the per cent of granular--diffusive and diffusive lymphocytes increased. The authors think that benzene affects granulocytes cells depressively and that it is an active labilisator of lysosomal lymphocytes. They set their hopes on the observed phenomenon to elaborate an exposure test to benzene.