Mass spectrometric identification of hemoglobin modifications induced by nitrosobenzene

Aniline and nitrobenzene (NB) are widely used industrial chemicals. Early effects of aniline toxicity include methemoglobin formation and damage to erythrocytes (Jenkins, F.P., 1972. The no-effect dose of anilne in human subjects and a comparison of aniline toxicity in man and rat. Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 10, 671–679; Bus, J.S., Popp, J.A., 1987. Perspectives on the mechanism of action of the splenic toxicity of aniline and structurally-related. Food Chem. Toxicol. 25, 619–627). In this report, we describe an analytical method, based on LC techniques and mass spectrometry, which could help in monitoring the exposure to aniline and NB. In particular, we describe and characterize the formation of specific adducts during an in vitro reaction of nitrosobenzene (NOB), the main metabolite of aniline and NB, and human hemoglobin.