TOXICITY OF FLUORIDE TO DIABETIC RATS

Wistar rats were given 20 ppm fluoride in drinking water, or single ad ministration of 115 mg/kg alloxan i.m. to induce diabetes, or single a dministration of 115 mg/kg alloxan i.m. followed by 20 ppm fluoride fo r 31 days. Blood sugar level increased in rats given alloxan and allox an + fluoride. Body weight gain in rats given alloxan + fluoride decre ased significantly compared to other groups. Decrease in haemoglobin a nd glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) was seen only in rats give n alloxan + fluoride. In this group alkaline phosphatase, the target e nzyme in fluoride toxicosis, increased considerably. The toxicity of f luoride in diabetic rats was further reflected in organ weight data. T his investigation shows that fluoride toxicity is greater in diabetic rats.