The effect of antioxidative vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q on the morphological picture of the lungs and pancreata of rats intoxicated with sodium fluoride

Fluoride-Induced Alterations in the Pancreas of Mammals: A Meta-analysis

This review explores the diverse effects of fluoride on pancreatic function, encompassing both in vitro and in vivo studies. Fluoride exposure induces notable alterations at the cellular and molecular levels, affecting pancreatic morphology, histology, and enzymatic activity. In vitro studies demonstrate significant inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase activity and apoptosis in pancreatic beta cells. In vivo investigations reveal structural abnormalities in pancreatic cells, including mitochondrial damage, vacuolation, and nuclear damage. Moreover, fluoride exposure disrupts antioxidant enzyme activity, exacerbating oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Changes in digestive enzyme activity, such as the inhibition of pancreatic lipase and α-amylase, further contribute to pancreatic dysfunction. Additionally, alterations in hormone secretion, notably insulin levels and disturbed glucose homeostasis, highlight the complex effects of fluoride on the pancreatic endocrine system. These findings underscore fluoride-induced pancreatic toxicity and highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding and mitigation strategies to safeguard pancreatic health.

Fraxetin prevented sodium fluoride-induced chronic pancreatitis in rats: Role of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic and anti-apoptotic activities

Chronic pancreatitis is considered a common gastrointestinal disorder, with significant morbidity and mortality. Fluoride is an important agent for the development of our body systems, especially for bone and teeth, however on its excess consumption, it deposits in different body tissues, especially the pancreas, causing its chronic inflammation and destruction. Fraxetin proved to possess versatile activities including; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and anti-apoptotic activities. In the present study, we have evaluated the fraxetin potentiality to prevent fluoride-induced chronic pancreatitis in rats, by evaluating animal body weights and body weight gain rate, serum amylase, and lipase activities, pancreatic oxidative stress markers, cytokines, apoptotic markers, myeloperoxidase, and hydroxyproline levels, and histopathological changes. Nine-weeks-old male Wistar rats drank distilled water containing 500 ppm sodium fluoride (NaF) for 60 days to induce chronic pancreatitis. Oral fraxetin (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day) received simultaneously to prevent chronic pancreatitis development. Fraxetin in a dose-dependent manner alleviated chronic pancreatitis induced by NaF, as it restored the decreased body weight and weight gain rate, decreased the elevated serum amylase and lipase activities, pancreatic IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, caspase-3, MPO and hydroxyproline levels, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, enhanced pancreatic CAT and SOD activities, and GSH levels, besides it augmented the elevated IL-10 level, with the restoration of normal pancreatic architecture. Therefore, fraxetin could be a promising agent recommended for the prevention of fluoride-induced chronic pancreatitis in endemic areas.

Amelioration of the Protein Expression of Cox2, NFB, and STAT-3 by Some Antioxidants in the Liver of Sodium Fluoride-Intoxicated Rats

The present study aimed to explore the efficiency of N-acetyl cysteine (NACC) or thymoquinone (TMQ) alone or in combination in the downregulation of inflammatory molecule expression and decreasing hepatic injury in response to sodium fluoride (SF). Sodium fluoride upregulated serum alanine and aspartate transferases activities, tumor necrosis factor α and hepatic malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, and the expression of cyclooxygenase 2, nuclear factor κB cell, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. In contrast, hepatic glutathione level, superoxide dismutase activity, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 expression were decreased. However, the concurrent treatment with antioxidants, alone or in combination, modulated the levels of these parameters. Histopathological examination revealed that SF treatment resulted in focal areas of massive hepatic degeneration and many degenerated hepatocytes, whereas the treatment with TMQ or NACC exhibited moderate improvement in cellular degeneration of the liver with many abnormal cells. Rats receiving a combination of TMQ and NACC showed marked improvement in cellular degeneration of liver with apparently normal hepatic architecture with very few degenerated hepatocytes. The results also revealed that the combination of TMQ and NACC is the most effective regimen in ameliorating SF toxicity, suggesting their efficacy against the toxicity of fluoride compounds. Their activities might be mediated via multiple molecular pathways.

Levels of Antioxidant Activity and Fluoride Content in Coffee Infusions of Arabica, Robusta and Green Coffee Beans in According to their Brewing Methods

Coffee is a rich source of dietary antioxidants, and this property links with the fact that coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages. Moreover, it is a source of macro- and microelements, including fluoride. The aim of this work was to determine antioxidant activity of coffee beverages and fluoride content depending on different coffee species and conditions of brewing. Three species of coffee, arabica, robusta and green coffee beans obtained from retail stores in Szczecin (Poland) were analyzed. Five different techniques of preparing drink were used: simple infusion, french press, espresso maker, overflow espresso and Turkish coffee. Antioxidant potential of coffee beverages was investigated spectrophotometrically by DPPH method. Fluoride concentrations were measured by potentiometric method with a fluoride ion-selective electrode. Statistical analysis was performed using Stat Soft Statistica 12.5. Antioxidant activity of infusions was high (71.97-83.21% inhibition of DPPH) depending on coffee species and beverage preparing method. It has been shown that the method of brewing arabica coffee and green coffee significantly affects the antioxidant potential of infusions. The fluoride concentration in the coffee infusions changed depending, both, on the species and conditions of brewing, too (0.013-0.502 mg/L). Methods of brewing didn't make a difference to the antioxidant potential of robusta coffee, which had also the lowest level of fluoride among studied species. Except overflow espresso, the fluoride content was the highest in beverages from green coffee. The highest fluoride content was found in Turkish coffee from green coffee beans.

Pulmonary fluorosis: a review

The increased industrialization and improvised human lifestyle lead to a surge in environmental pollution nowadays. Even the chemicals which are known as prophylactic agents were currently liable to be toxic. One among them is inorganic fluoride whose wider application in numerous processes makes it as an inevitable environmental contaminant and industrial pollutant. Although the systemic toxicity of fluoride has been extensively studied, still there is lacuna in the field of pulmonary fluoride toxicity. Hence, we have focused on the molecular mechanism of action of fluoride compounds on pulmonary system. A study of literatures that focused on the potential physiological and toxicological consequences of fluoride on pulmonary system was carried out. The goal of this review is to present an overview of the research carried out till date on the molecular aspects of fluoride exposure with emphasis on pulmonary system and their possible mechanisms.

Low serum prealbumin levels in post-stroke depression

Previous studies have shown that prealbumin is associated with depression. However, the association between prealbumin and post-stroke depression remains unelucidated. This observational cohort study determined whether low baseline serum prealbumin could predict post-stroke depression at 1 month in patients admitted with acute stroke. The study, conducted from October 2013 to September 2014, included 307 patients with acute stroke who were followed-up for 1 month. Serum prealbumin was measured within 24h after admission using an immunoturbidimetric method. The17-item Hamilton Depression Scale was used to evaluate depression symptoms. Patients with a depression score of ≥7 were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, for diagnosing post-stroke depression at 1 month. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate possible predictors of post-stroke depression. Overall, 93 (30.3%) patients were diagnosed with post-stroke depression. Serum prealbumin was significantly lower in patients with versus those without post-stroke depression, and was a significant predictor of post-stroke depression after adjusting for confounding risk factors. In conclusion, baseline serum prealbumin level was associated with post-stroke depression at 1 month, suggesting that prealbumin might be a useful biomarker for post-stroke depression.

Tamarind seed coat ameliorates fluoride induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in A549 cells

Fluoride (F) is an environmental contaminant and industrial pollutant. Molecular mechanisms remain unclear in F induced pulmonary toxicity even after numerous studies. Tamarind fruits act as defluoridating agents, but no study was conducted in in vitro systems. Hence, we aimed to assess the ameliorative impact of the tamarind seed coat extract (TSCE) against F toxicity utilizing lung epithelial cells, A549. Cells were exposed to sodium fluoride (NaF-5 mM) alone and in combination with TSCE (750 ng/ml) or Vitamin C (positive control) for 24 h and analyzed for F content, intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) level, oxidative stress, mitochondrial integrity and apoptotic markers. TSCE treatment prevented the F induced alterations in [Ca(2+)]i overload, F content, oxidant (reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and nitric oxide) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione) parameters. Further, TSCE modulates F activated changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, permeability transition pore opening, cytochrome-C release, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 and PARP-1 expressions. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that TSCE as a potential protective agent against F toxicity, which can be utilized as a neutraceutical.

Vitamin A deficiency: An oxidative stress marker in sodium fluoride (NaF) induced oxidative damage in developing rat brain

Fluoride induced oxidative stress through depletion in levels of various anti-oxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), fat soluble vitamins (D and E) with increased levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and fluoride aggravate the damage in rodents as well as in humans. Vitamins A, a fat soluble vitamin possess antioxidant property which plays a significant role in scavenging the free radicals species similar to vitamin D and E. Vitamin A is involved in neural tissue development and plasticity. The growing evidence about vitamin A being antioxidant in different biological reactions formed the basis to determine the effect of fluoride on its levels. The present study was conducted in Wistar rat pups. The pregnant wistar rats were dosed with 20 ppm sodium fluoride (NaF) from day one of pregnancy till the pups were aged day 30. The serum was collected from developing rat pups on regular intervals (14th, 21st, 30th day) and vitamin A levels were analyzed by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Body weights, Behavioural studies and spectrophotometric estimation of SOD, LPO in brain lysates were also performed. The results showed significant decrease (p<0.001) in vitamin A in fluoride induced samples in comparison to the control samples suggesting that decreased levels of vitamin A can be used as another marker in fluoride induced toxicity studies.

Vitamin U, a novel free radical scavenger, prevents lens injury in rats administered with valproic acid

Valproic acid (2-propyl-pentanoic acid, VPA) is the most widely prescribed antiepileptic drug due to its ability to treat a broad spectrum of seizure types. VPA exhibits various side effects such as organ toxicity, teratogenicity, and visual disturbances. S-Methylmethioninesulfonium is a derivative of the amino acid methionine and it is widely referred to as vitamin U (Vit U). This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Vit U on lens damage parameters of rats exposed to VPA. Female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Group I comprised control animals. Group II included control rats supplemented with Vit U (50 mg/kg/day) for 15 days. Group III was given only VPA (500 mg/kg/day) for 15 days. Group IV was given VPA + Vit U (in same dose and time). Vit U was given to rats by gavage and VPA was given intraperitoneally. On the 16th day of experiment, all the animals which were fasted overnight were killed. Lens was taken from animals, homogenized in 0.9% saline to make up to 10% (w/v) homogenate. The homogenates were used for protein, glutathione, lipid peroxidation levels, and antioxidant enzymes activities. Lens lipid peroxidation levels and aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in VPA group. On the other hand, glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione- S-transferase, and paraoxonase activities were decreased in VPA groups. Treatment with Vit U reversed these effects. This study showed that Vit U exerted antioxidant properties and may prevent lens damage caused by VPA.

Lung damage after long-term exposure of adult rats to sodium fluoride

INTRODUCTION

Fluorides, when taken in amounts exceeding the standard therapeutic dosage, are regarded as toxic substances. Chronic fluorosis causes marked destruction of lung tissues. The study aimed to determine whether the effect of a chronic toxic dose of sodium fluoride on the lung of an adult male albino rat is reversible or irreversible. This was done through light and electron microscopic studies. Morphometric study was also done.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty adult male rats were used. The animals were divided into 3 groups: control group; group I (chronic fluorosis group) in which sodium fluoride was given daily for 3 months; and group II (recovery group) in which sodium fluoride was given daily for 3 months and after that the rats survived for another month.

RESULTS

The lung of group I was characterized by presence of blood and lymph congestion. Thickening of alveolar septa was also observed with rupture of septa and widening of the air spaces. The area % of collagen (1.13 ±0.5), septal wall thickness (13.47 ±6.1), and number of macrophages (5 ±2.5) increased in comparison to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). With discontinuation of sodium fluoride (group II), no much improvement was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic fluorosis has many pathological effects on the lung which are irreversible.

Maize purple plant pigment protects against fluoride-induced oxidative damage of liver and kidney in rats

Anthocyanins are polyphenols and well known for their biological antioxidative benefits. Maize purple plant pigment (MPPP) extracted and separated from maize purple plant is rich in anthocyanins. In the present study, MPPP was used to alleviate the adverse effects generated by fluoride on liver and kidney in rats. The results showed that the ultrastructure of the liver and kidney in fluoride treated rats displayed shrinkage of nuclear and cell volume, swollen mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and vacuols formation in the liver and kidney cells. MPPP significantly attenuated these fluoride-induced pathological changes. The MDA levels in serum and liver tissue of fluoride alone treated group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The presence of 5 g/kg MPPP in the diet reduced the elevation of MDA levels in blood and liver, and increased the SOD and GSH-Px activities in kidney and GSH level in liver and kidney compared with the fluoride alone treated group (p < 0.05). In addition, MPPP alleviated the decrease of Bcl-2 protein expression and the increase of Bax protein expression induced by fluoride. This study demonstrated the protective role of MPPP against fluoride-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney of rats.

Prophylactic effect of N-acetylcysteine against sodium fluoride-induced blood oxidative stress in mice

Ninety female Balb/c mice were used. The animals were allocated to evenly six groups. While the first group was maintained as control, Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were administered 750 ppm, 1500 ppm, 3000 ppm, and 6000 ppm of N-acetylcysteine, respectively, for a period of 15 days. After day 15, Groups 2-6 were administered sodium fluoride, containing 100 ppm fluoride in drinking water, for another 15 days. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and erythrocyte superoksid dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined at the beginning of the trial and on days 15 and 30. According to the data obtained in the present study, N-acetylcysteine, when administered at the indicated doses, did not produce a significant alteration in any of the three parameters investigated. On the other hand, while the plasma MDA level was determined to have increased significantly, erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities were ascertained to have decreased significantly in the group, which was administered sodium fluoride alone on day 30. In the groups, which were administered N-acetylcysteine prior to sodium fluoride, however, it was observed that, after sodium fluoride administration, plasma MDA levels and erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities drew closer to the values of the control group.