The Mast Cell Reaction in Mouse Skin to Some Organic Chemicals*t III. The Early Effect of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

In a previous paper (31) the temporary depletion of the granular substance of the dermal mast cells was reported, following the application oI benzene to the skin of mice. This reaction failed in response to alcohol, ether, and acetone. Continued studies indicate that a similar reaction on the part of the tissue mast cells can be elicited by some other aromatic hydrocarbons, and is herein described. The subject is limited to the early preneoplastic response of skin to single applications of a series of aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are known to induce a multitude of intermingling reactions on the part of intracellular constituents. Also, they may evoke chemical reactions resulting in the elimination of the original substances or metabolites. Our results draw particular attention to such protective reactions and to the possible role of the granular substance of the mast cells in local detoxication reactions. Our present knowledge of protective reactions to common aromatic hydrocarbons is based chiefly upon feeding experiments (2, 16, 43), and consequently, the part played by different tissue constituents is little known. Considering the detoxication of aromatic hydrocarbons particular interest is focussed on certain organic sulfur compounds. Cysteine is used for the synthesis of mercapturic acids in response to halogenated benzenes (54) and naphthalenes (7). The glutathione content was found to decrease in the tissue of animals fed naphthalene (37, 42). Phenols, aromatic alcohols and aldehydes conjugate with sulfuric acid to form ester sulfates. The origin of the sulfuric acid is not known (2). Conjugation occurs also in eviscerated and hepatectomized animals (3, 35). Furthermore, glucuronic acid of un-