Paper Title
Association of Benzene Exposure with Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress in a Sample of Children And Adolescents

Abstract
Background: Benzene is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant with several adverse health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of urinary benzene metabolite (t,t-ma) withoxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) in children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 86 children and adolescents,aged 6-18 years, in Isfahan, Iran. T,t-ma was measured as urinary benzene metabolite and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was determined as an index of IR. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured as markers of oxidative stress. Results: We found significant association between t,t-ma concentrations and insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose, and fasting blood insulin (P<0.05). Moreover, after adjustment for age, sex, and the state of having smoking parents, statistically significant increase in SOD and MDA (4.49 and 3.54 fold respectively) was observedin intermediate levels of t,t-ma vs.its low levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the association of benzene metabolites withIR and oxidative stress in the pediatric age group. It showed that exposure of children to benzene , even in environmental levels, can be a predisposing factor for chronic diseases in later years of life. Key Words - Benzene, Urinary metabolites, Insulin resistance, Oxidative stress, Children