Urine phenol and myeloperoxidase index: an observation in benzene exposed subjects.

Benzene is a colorless poisonous liquid with a sweet odor. At present, it is documented as a known inducer of leukemia. Potential metabolic mechanisms underlying the hemopoietic toxicity of benzene include bioactivation of phenolic metabolites of benzene by myeloperoxidases in bone marrow, which results in hydroquinolone, a major leukemogen. There is no previous correlative study between the level of phenol, urine benzene metabolite, and the myeloperoxidase index (MPXI). Here, the correlation between the urine phenol and MPXI were studied in 24 Thai subjects occupationally exposed to benzene. Of interest, the regression analysis show no significant correlation between urine phenol level and MPXI (r = -0.05, P = 0.81).