Generation of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide by 1,2,4-triaminobenzene, a mutagenic and myotoxic aromatic amine.
1,2,4-Triaminobenzene, the myotoxic and mutagenic metabolite of several azo dyes, has been shown to generate superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide during its autoxidation in vitro. Hydrogen peroxide was detected in erythrocytes exposed to the aromatic amine, showing that the autoxidation reaction can occur intracellularly; these cells also suffered oxidative damage, as reflected in glutathione depletion and haemoglobin oxidation. It is suggested that 'active oxygen' species may be involved in the initiation of the toxic changes induced by 1,2,4-triaminobenzene.