Cytogenetic effects on lymphocytes in osteoporotic patients on long-term fluoride therapy

The genotoxicity of fluoride in vivo in seven patients with osteoporosis wa s cytogenetically investigated. The patients were treated with fluoride-con taining formulations (disodium monofluorophosphate and sodium fluoride) for a period of 15 months up to 49 months. Fluoride intake ranged from 22.6-33 .9 mg F/day and serum fluoride concentrations were between 0.1 mg F/l and 0 .2 mg F/. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of these patients were cultured in v itro and examined for chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei in cytokinesis-b locked binucleated lymphocytes as well as cell cycle progression. When a co mparison was made between patients' group and a matched control group, it w as found that fluoride at the tested concentrations had no detectable genot oxic potential in human lymphocytes in vivo.