TRANSIENT AND REVERSIBLE FLUORIDE TOXICITY IN SOME SOFT TISSUES OF FEMALE MICE

Abstract

SUMMARY: The effects of NaF ingestion (10 mg/kg body weight) and possible therapeutic effects of vitamin C (25 mg/animal/day) and/or calcium (25 mg/ animal/day) were investigated on some soft tissues of female mice (Mus musculusl. The decrease in protein levels in liver, muscle (pectoralis and gastrocnemius), and small intestine suggested an alteration in metabolism by fluoride and a possible change in the osmotic bal ance. The decline in the succinate dehydrogenase activity in muscle elucidates disturbances in oxidative metabolism and contractility. The significant accumulation of glycogen levels in muscle and liver led to decreased glycogen tu rnover, probably due to the reduction in activity of phosphorylase. The Ca' levels of muscle were elevated, which would create an ionic gradient across the sarcolemma affecting muscle contrac tion. The Na + and K+ levels in the kidney were decreased significantly, indicating an electrolyte imbalance: However, the cholesterol levels in the ventricle were not affected. The administration of ascorbic acid and calcium to NaF-treated mice revealed marked recovery from fluoride toxicity in all above parameters, showing that fluoride toxicity is reversible and transient with ameliorative effects of ascorbic acid and calcium alone and/or in combination. The recovery was more pronounced in the animal group treated with both ascorbic acid and calcium, thus indicating their synergistic action.