The aim of the study was to evaluate cytochrome P-450 dependent hepatic monooxygenases system and urinary excretions of phenol and muconic acid in animals subjected to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) orally and benzene by inhalations. ASA increased urinary excretion of muconic acid although it did not affect the urinary level of phenol. Benzene decreased concentrations of P-450 and b(5) cytochromes and the activities of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 and NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductases. In rats exposed to ASA and benzene simultaneously the concentration of both cytochrornes and the activity of the cytochrome dependent reductases was higher than in the rats exposed only to benzene and sometimes exceeded the control group values. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.