Fluoride Action Network

Abstract

In this study, the neurotoxicity of fluoride (F) in the hippocampus of rats exposed to 15, 30, and 60 mg NaF/L in their drinking water for nine months was investigated. Compared with the control (<0.5 mg F/L), significant increases in the expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II alpha (CaMKII?) (F=5.228, p<0.05) and catus proto-oncogene protein c-fos (cFOS) (F=7.625, p<0.05 or p<0.01) were observed in both the 30 and 60 mg NaF/L groups. In contrast, significant decreases occurred in the two higher NaF groups in the expression of Bcl2- associated X protein (Bax) and B-cell CLL/lymphoma (Bcl-2) (F=13.983, p<0.05 or p<0.01). These results indicate that the signalling pathway of CaMKII?, c-fos, Bax, and Bcl-2 involves a molecular basis for the effects of fluorosis in the central nervous system.