TY - JOUR AB - Benzene is a volatile aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and is known as one of the predominant air pollutants in the environment. Chronic exposure to benzene is known to cause aplastic anemia and increased risk of acute myelogenous leukemia in humans. Although the mechanisms by which benzene causes toxicity remain to be fully elucidated, it is widely accepted that its metabolism is crucial to its toxicity, with involvement of one or more reactive metabolites. Novel approaches aimed at evaluating different mechanisms by which benzene can impact on human health by altering gene regulation have been developed. Among these novel approaches, epigenetics appears to be promising. The present review article summarizes the most important findings, reported from the literature, on epigenetic modifications correlated to benzene exposure. A computerized search in PubMed was performed in November 2014, using search terms, including 'benzene', 'epigenetic', 'histone modifications', 'DNA methylation' and 'microRNA'. Epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated the potential epigenetic effects of benzene exposure. Several of the epigenomic changes observed in response to environmental exposures may be mechanistically associated with susceptibility to diseases. However, further elucidation of the mechanisms by which benzene alters gene expression may improve prediction of the toxic potential of novel compounds introduced into the environment, and allow for more targeted and appropriate disease prevention strategies. AD - Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy AU - Fenga,Concettina AU - Gangemi,Silvia AU - Costa,Chiara DA - 2016/04/01 DO - 10.3892/mmr.2016.4955 EP - 3405 IS - 4 JO - Mol Med Rep KW - benzene epigenetic microRNA DNA methylation histone modifications cancer PY - 2016 SN - 1791-2997 1791-3004 SP - 3401 ST - Benzene exposure is associated with epigenetic changes (Review) T2 - Molecular Medicine Reports TI - Benzene exposure is associated with epigenetic changes (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2016.4955 VL - 13 ER -