"The histology of the cerebral hemisphere was altered by NaF and/or Arsenic trioxide [As2O3] treatment for 30 days, wherein the effect by As2O3 was greater than by NaF treatment. This result is in agreement with others... The reduced brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity observed in the present study corroborates data of others in rats exposed for three months to arsenic trioxide and in the brain of NaF-treated mice and rats as compared to controls... The DNA and RNA levels in the ce

Abstract

SUMMARY: The effects of oral administration of sodium fluoride (NaF) and/or arsenic trioxide (As2O3) at 5 and 0.5 mg/kg body weight doses, respectively, for 30 days were studied on the physiology and histology of brain (cerebral hemisphere) of adult mice (Mus musculus). Recovery after 30 additional days by some antidotes (vitamins C and E and calcium phosphate) was also examined. The observed significant decline in levels of DNA and RNA and acetylcholinesterase activity in brain (cerebral hemisphere) of mice treated with NaF, As2O3 and NaF + As2O3 is related to its altered histology. The combined antidote treatment was conducive for recovery of this fluoride and arsenic induced toxicity in the brain. These results are viewed as having important implications for fluoride and arsenic endemic populations all over the globe.

Excerpt:

“The histology of the cerebral hemisphere was altered by NaF and/or Arsenic trioxide [As2O3] treatment for 30 days, wherein the effect by As2O3 was greater than by NaF treatment. This result is in agreement with others… The reduced brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity observed in the present study corroborates data of others in rats exposed for three months to arsenic trioxide and in the brain of NaF-treated mice and rats as compared to controls… The DNA and RNA levels in the cerebral hemisphere were significantly lower in NaF and/or As2O3-treated mice in the present study, which could affect brain function. The ingestion of the antidotes vitimans C and E as well as calcium phosphate, either indivdually or in combination, during the 30-day withdrawal period resulted in significant recovery, probably due to the antioxidant-properties of vitamins C and E and modulation of fluoride-induced toxicity in rats by calcium.”