Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM： To explore the relationship between the free radical toxicity and genotoxicity of cumene hydroperoxide(CHP). MATERIAL AND METHODS： 36 mice were divided into four groups randomly. Their average body weight was (38.3±7.8) g. The CHP exposure doses were 2 000，500，125 and 0 μg/kg by gavage daily，five days in a week for 40 days. The change of the marrow micronucleus in polychromatic erythrocytes(PCE)and sperm deformity ratio were detected. The contents of malondialdehyde(MDA)，total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD) and reduced glutathion(GSH) in homogenate of testis were tested. RESULTS: The body weight of mice exposed to CHP had decreased to different degrees. With the increasing dose of CHP, the contents of MDA in testis homogenate were increased and the contents of T-SOD and GSH were gradually decreased. The MDA in testis homogenate of mice exposed to 2 000 μg/kg CHP was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0.01). The GSH and the T-SOD in testis homogenate of mice exposed to 500 μg/kg CHP were markedly lower than that of control group(P<0.05). The change of the marrow micronucleus in PCE and sperm deformity ratio were increased. Mice exposed to 2 000 μg/kg CHP had obvious change compared with that of control group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: CHP twed strong free radical toxicity and genotoxicity on mice, the oxidative injury caused by free radical of CHP might induce its genotoxicity.

Key words: cumene hydroperoxide, free radical toxicity, micronucleus, sperm deformity