Effects of benzene on glycogen levels of liver and muscle tissues and on blood glucose of rats

Abstract

Benzene is used commonly in industry and known as a toxic and carcinogenic agent. In this study a 100 mg.kg-1 dose was administered to Swiss Albino (Rat rattus norvegicus) rats by intraperitoneal injection. Changes in glycogen levels in the liver, muscle and blood glucose levels were investigated after 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 hours. In this study increased glycogen levels in liver and muscle tissues of both control and benzene-treated rats were found to depend on nourishment. The toxic effect of benzene disappeared at 64 hours after treatment. There was no significant difference between male and female groups regarding glucose levels except at a few time intervals. In conclusion, our results indicate that glycogen levels in the liver and muscle tissues were altered by benzene while glucose in the blood remained largely unchanged.