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

The effects of NaF ingestion (10 mg/kg body weight) and possible thera peutic effects of vitamin C (25 mg/animal/day) and/or calcium (25 mg/a nimal/day) were investigated on some soft tissues of female mice (Mus musculus). The decrease in protein levels in liver, muscle (pectoralis and gastrocnemius), and small intestine suggested an alteration in me tabolism by fluoride and a possible change in the osmotic balance. The decline in the succinate dehydrogenase activity in muscle elucidates disturbances in oxidative metabolism and contractility. The significan t accumulation of glycogen levels in muscle and liver led to decreased glycogen turnover, probably due to the reduction in activity of phosp horylase. The Ca++ levels of muscle were elevated, which would create an ionic gradient across the sarcolemma affecting muscle contraction. The Na+ and K+ levels in the kidney were decreased significantly, indi cating an electrolyte imbalance. However, the cholesterol levels in th e ventricle were not affected. The administration of ascorbic acid and calcium to NaF-treated mice revealed marked recovery from fluoride to xicity in all above parameters, showing that fluoride toxicity is reve rsible and transient with ameliorative effects of ascorbic acid and ca lcium alone and/or in combination. The recovery was more pronounced in the animal group treated with both ascorbic acid and calcium, thus in dicating their synergistic action.