In vitro biosynthesis of bone matrix in bones of rabbits intoxicated with fluoride

Partial characterization of rat marrow stromal cells

Fibroblast-like rat marrow stromal cell (CFU-F) cultures have been characterized in terms of their responsiveness to calciotropic hormones, metal ions, the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, and by their putative paracrine role in the maintenance of active populations of osteoblasts at the marrow-bone interface. These studies indicate that CFU-Fs lack a complete osteoblast signature. Subconfluent CFU-Fs grown in the presence or absence of 10(-7) M dexamethasone lack receptors for PTH and calcitonin, and fail to show enhanced cAMP or cGMP responses to 10(-7) M 1-34 PTH (rat), or any evidence of osteocalcin production [+/- 10(-9) M 1,25-(OH)2D3]. Low concentrations of fluoride [10(-12) and 10(-9) M] stimulated CFU-F grown in vitro in serum-free media, though higher levels (10(-7) and 10(-6) M), inhibited growth in vivo and in vitro. Aluminum (10(-12)-10(-7) M) and ibuprofen (10(-7) M) did not alter normal growth patterns, indicating an action on bone cells more differentiated than CFU-Fs. Serum-free conditioned medium (CM) from control and ovariectomized (OVX)/OVX+ dihydrotachysterol-Rx rat CFU-F cultures was mitogenic for neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts in vitro, but not for ROS 17/2.8 cells. The studies affirm the mesenchymal-like character of CFU-Fs and project their significant role in sustaining functional endosteal osteogenic cell populations.

The effect of fluoride on bone of rats fed diets deficient in calcium or phosphorus

Four groups of weanling rats were fed for 2 weeks on a diet sufficient or insufficient in calcium and/or phosphorus. Each group was divided into four subgroups which were offered distilled water supplemented with 0, 50, 75, or 150 ppm fluoride. High levels of fluoride in drinking water inhibited weight gain. This inhibition was less in rats deficient in phosphorus than when normal-phosphorus diets were offered. At a low level, fluoride was without any effect on bone ash, thickness of femoral cortical bone, and mechanical strength, as measured by maximal load, ultimate stress to breaking, and limit of elasticity. Modulus of elasticity was decreased. At higher levels fluoride tended to decrease most of these parameters, except in rats deprived of both calcium and phosphorus. The effect of fluoride was modified by lack of dietary calcium and/or phosphorus and appeared to be weaker in rats deficient in these nutrients. Lack of dietary calcium and/or phosphorus decreased bone strength more than did fluoride content of water and of bone mineral. Concentration of bone ash and thickness of femoral cortical bone were closely correlated with parameters of mechanical strength.