Abstract

Background: Low Fluoride use has been advocated as a therapeutic agent for delaying tooth decay however, high fluoride exposure has been associated with behavioral changes, low IQ, and altered brain functions and development. Although Fluoride generally does not generate free radicals but is still implicated in free radical associated damage to biomembranes and cellular biomolecules in various tissues and organs

Methods: The present study was conducted to investigate the alterations in brain and intestinal oxidative stress after chronic fluoride ingestion for varying durations (20, 40 and 90 days) in rats. 30 animals were randomized into 2 groups (control and fluoride treated) of 15 animals each. Test group animals were given sodium fluoride (25mg/kg body weight) dissolved in double distilled water orally for the study period. Animals had access to water and standard pellet diet ad libitum throughout the treatment period. Overnight fasted animals from each group were euthanized on 20, 40 and 90th day. Various antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) were measured in post mitochondrial supernatant (PMS).

Results: All antioxidant enzymes decreased in both tissues for the three studied durations. Decrease in SOD activity was highest for 40 days treatment in brain (67.17%) and intestine (66.44%). Catalase activity showed a regular decrease in intestine (10.28, 14.85, and 24.17%) and in brain (36.24, 65.81, and 75.10%) after 20, 40 and 90 days respectively. Although GR activity was decreased in both tissues except in intestine (increased 25.41% after 40 days), but they didn’t reveal duration specific trend. Alterations in GST levels were similar to GR with maximum decrease for 20 days in intestine (77.92 %) and for 40 days in brain (42.49 %).

Conclusions: From our results we conclude that fluoride exposure results in alterations in the antioxidant defense enzymes in an age related manner and speculate that in long term exposures it may be related to age related neurodegenerative diseases especially when it interacts with aluminum. We also suggest more age related studied with combined exposures to fluoride and aluminum should be carried out with a special focus on Alzheimer’s disease.

• Related Studies :

  • Apoptotic and Degenerative Changes in the Enteric Nervous System Following Exposure to Fluoride During Pre- And Post-natal Periods.

    Children born in fluorosis endemic areas usually suffer from gastrointestinal complications and are unable to attain normal growth as per their age group. The enteric nervous system (ENS) controls gut movement and functions. It is highly vulnerable to any ingested toxins. Based on observations, it was hypothesized that fluoride exposure

  • JNK and NADPH oxidase involved in fluoride-induced oxidative stress in BV-2 microglia cells.

    Abstract Excessive fluoride may cause central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, and oxidative stress is a recognized mode of action of fluoride toxicity. In CNS, activated microglial cells can release more reactive oxygen species (ROS), and NADPH oxidase (NOX) is the major enzyme for the production of extracellular superoxide in microglia. ROS

  • Effects of fluoride accumulation on some enzymes of brain and gastrocnemius muscle of mice

    This study reports accumulation of fluoride and altered activities of some enzymes involved in free-radical metabolism and membrane function in whole brain and gastrocnemius muscle of female mice treated with NaF (20mg/kg/body weight) for 14 days. The body weight and somatic index were decreased, whereas fluoride levels were significantly increased

  • Co-exposure to arsenic and fluoride on oxidative stress, glutathione linked enzymes, biogenic amines and DNA damage in mouse brain.

    We studied the effects of combined exposure to arsenic and fluoride on (i) brain biogenic amines, oxidative stress and its correlation with glutathione and linked enzymes; (ii) alterations in the structural integrity of DNA; and (iii) brain and blood arsenic and fluoride levels. Efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in reducing these changes

  • Silymarin and quercetin abrogates fluoride induced oxidative stress and toxic effects in rats

    Flavonoids have been extensively studied and reported to possess widespread biological activities, including antioxidant and chelating properties. They have been proposed to exert beneficial effects in a multitude of diseased states generated due to oxidative stress. Therapeutic efficacy of oral administration of Silymarin and Quercetin after fluoride exposure (50 ppm

• Related FAN Content :

  • Fluoride's Effect on Fetal Brain

    The human placenta does not prevent the passage of fluoride from a pregnant mother's bloodstream to the fetus. As a result, a fetus can be harmed by fluoride ingested pregnancy. Based on research from China, the fetal brain is one of the organs susceptible to fluoride poisoning. As highlighted by the excerpts

  • Gastrointestinal Problems Among Individuals with Skeletal Fluorosis

    Humans suffering from skeletal fluorosis are known to suffer from an increased occurrence of gastrointestinal disorders. When fluoride intake is reduced, these gastrointestinal problems are among the first symptoms to disappear. The following are some of the studies that have examined this issue: "It is clear from the observations presented in this article

  • Nutrient Deficiencies Enhance Fluoride Toxicity

    It has been known since the 1930s that poor nutrition enhances the toxicity of fluoride. As discussed below, nutrient deficiencies have been specifically linked to increased susceptibility to fluoride-induced tooth damage (dental fluorosis), bone damage (osteomalacia), neurotoxicity (reduced intelligence), and mutagenicity. The nutrients of primary importance appear to be calcium,

  • Fluoride: Developmental Neurotoxicity.

    Developmental Neurotoxicity There has been a tremendous amount of research done on the association of exposure to fluoride with developmental neurotoxicity. There are over 60 studies reporting reduced IQ in children and several on the impaired learning/memory in animals. And there are studies which link fluoride to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Teaching

  • Fluoride Affects Learning & Memory in Animals

    An association between elevated fluoride exposure and reduced intelligence has now been observed in 65 IQ studies. Although a link between fluoride and intelligence might initially seem surprising or random, it is actually consistent with a large body of animal research. This animal research includes the following 45 studies (out