Abstract
A study is reported of DNA damage by fluoride to primary calvarial osteoblasts of newborn rats isolated by enzymic digestion. Sodium fluoride at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mmol/L was administered to the isolated osteoblast cells for 24 hr, and damage to DNA was determined by single cell gel electrophoresis assay (SCGE = Comet assay). Breakage of DNA strands occurred at 2 mmol /L 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 osteoblasts.