METABOLISM OF BENZENE

II. HYDROXYLATION OF BENZENE BY ENZYMES EXTRACTED FROM RABBIT LIVER

Abstract

The metabolic pathway of benzene was studied by using an enzyme sample extract- ed from the rabbit liver. The main parts of the pathway suggested by Williams were ascertained and moreover it was found that the metabolites of benzene showed consid- erable inhibitory effects upon the hydroxylation of benzene. As the result of the inhibitory action of the metabolites, the reaction curve in respect to the amount of phenol or catechol produced from benzene may becomes to show the wave form appear.