Abstract

Fluoride Toxicity due to the presence of higher levels of fluoride in drinking water (>1.5ppm) may be serious problems in health of the children and adult in general. In the state of Rajasthan, almost all districts have high Fluoride (up to 18.0 ppm) in their drinking / ground water sources and about 11 million of the populations are at risk. In the present study, 53 children were selected from the rural area of the eastern regions (Dausa district) in the Rajasthan India, where fluoride content in water is 5.5 ± 1.2 ppm. Moreover, age matched controls were selected from the Jaipur district where fluoride content in water was less than 1.5 ppm. 3.0 ml of blood sample were taken to investigate oxidative stress parameters namely, lipid peroxide level (LPO), superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione content. Moreover, serum Fe, Cu, Zn, Se and fluoride were investigated. Increased LPO and depleted antioxidant levels were observed in subjects along with the alteration in trace elements. The concentration of fluoride in serum was significantly correlates with their water concentration. On the basis of the results it may conclude that fluoride exposure promote oxidative stress and alteration in trace elements. These alterations may induce pathological conditions in fluoride exposed children. These biochemical markers may be used as the detection of early fluorosis. However, further in depth studies is required for the understanding of pathophysiological role of fluoride.