Identification of serum biomarkers change in benzene-exposed mice for 28 days

  Objective  To explore the changes of serum protein expression and its sensitive biomarkers in benzene-exposed mice for 28 days.

  Methods  Totally 40 male SPF-grade Kunming mice aged 4 to 5 weeks were randomly divided into benzene poisoning group(n = 30)and control group(n = 10). Mice in benzene poisoning group were given benzene(150 mg/kg)by subcutaneous injection once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Mice in control group were given corn oil with the same way. During the exposure period, the appearance, mentality, diet and weight changes of mice were recorded. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected for routine blood test and examination of serum biochemical liver function indicators, α1-antitrypsin(α1-AT), apolipoprotein A1(APOA1)and complement C3(C3). Mouse liver organ was taken and weight. The coefficient of liver organs was calculated, and HE staining was done for pathological examination.

  Results  Compared with the control group, the mice in the benzene poisoning group showed no obvious abnormalities in their fur appearance, mentality, and diet during the experiment period. But 4 weeks after exposure, the weight of the mice in the benzene poisoning group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05). The blood test results showed that the white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin amount and platelet count of mice in the benzene poisoning group were significantly lower than those of mice in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase between mice in benzene poisoning group and in control group(P > 0.05). Liver histopathological examination showed that mice in both two groups had somewhat hepatocyte glycogen accumulation. The levels of APOA1 of mice in the benzene poisoning group were higher than those of mice in the control group(P < 0.05).

  Conclusions  Subcutaneous injection is simple and feasible method to induce benzene-poisoning model in mice. In benzene poisoning mice, APOA1 protein expression was up-regulated, and APOA1 may be a potential sensitive biomarker of benzene poisoning.