[Functional activity of blood and liver cells under formaldehyde intoxication via inhalation]

The influence of formaldehyde (of 5 and 10 mg/m3) on the state of the antioxidant system the blood and liver of rats, the activity of pentose phosphate pathway enzymes, and weight of immune organs was investigated. Formaldehyde intoxication led to activation of lipid peroxidation processes in red blood cells and hepatocytes. In the liver cells these changes were accompanied by activation of the antioxidant and detoxification systems. Formaldehyde depleted thiamine diphosphate in the liver, and this effect was not dose-dependent. The number of blood cells remained unchanged. Formaldehyde at the concentration of 10 mg/m3 exerted the negative effect on the thymus. This effect may be related to stimulation of lipid peroxidation.