Abstract

DNA damage by fluoride to newborn rat kidney cells isolated by enzymic digestion is reported. The cells were exposed for 24 hr to sodium fluoride at NaF concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.0 mM. Damage to DNA was determined by single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay). Significant breakage of DNA strands occurred at 0.8 mM NaF and above. Compared with the control group, the comet tail length was significantly increased, indicating that, at sufficient concentrations, fluoride can induce DNA damage in kidney cells.