Toxicological studies on the effects of hidroquinone and benzoquinone on human basophyls

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the Hydroquinone (HQ) on human basophils. Methods: the basophils were separated and purified and subsequently incubated for varying times with increasing concentrations of HQ. The cells were therefore stimulated with different agonists. Histamine secretion was determined using the fluorimetric technique. Results: no effect was observed by exposing the basophils to HQ; by using Anti-IgE with a concentration of 10 -4 M of HQ an inhibition of the histamine secretion is present; by using A23187 with a concentration of 3 × 10 -5 M an inhibition effect was observed; with FMLP no effects were observed. No difference was observed by exposing cells to different times of incubation with HQ. Conclusions: the HQ interferes with the metabolic mechanisms and biochemists of the basophils. The type of interference observed is not connected to the period of exposure. The reduction of histamine secretion with chronic exposure is capable of interfering in chronic inflammation mechanisms of the upper respiratory tract in subjects exposed to benzene.