Effect of sodium
fluoride on the morphological picture of the rat liver exposed to NaF
in drinking water
D¹browska E, Letko R, Balunowska
M
Abstract
Purpose: Due to its efficacy in caries
prophylaxis and easy application, sodium fluoride (NaF) is still used
for caries prevention in the form of fluoridated drinking water,
fluoride tablets, fluoridated salt or milk. Effect of fluorides on
various metabolic levels in hard and soft tissues, namely respiration
as well as carbohydrate, protein, enzymatic and vascular metabolism,
can disturb detoxication of fluorine compounds administered orally.
The study objective was morphological examination of the liver of
young and mature rats exposed to NaF in drinking water from
conception till maturity, as well as after its withdrawal.
Material
and methods: In the initial stage of the experiment, 30 female Wistar
rats, 180-200 g body weight, were divided into 3 groups: one control
and two experimental groups (I, II). Female rats in the experimental
groups received fluorine in aqueous solutions of sodium fluoride
(NaF) at a concentration of 10.6 mg NaF/dm3 (group I) and 32.0 mg
NaF/dm3 (group II).
Results: The pathomorphological changes
observed in the liver, particularly of young rats exposed to
fluorides at superoptimal doses can help determine to what degree
oral fluoride caries prevention is safe and whether it should be
implemented. The transitory nature of pathomorphological changes in
hepatocytes indicates adaptive potentials or defence mechanisms
against orally administered sodium fluoride.