CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF ALUMINUM-FLUORIDE OR SODIUM-FLUORIDE TO RATS IN DRINKING-WATER - ALTERATIONS IN NEURONAL AND CEREBROVASCULAR INTEGRITY

This study describes alterations in the nervous system resulting from chronic administration of the fluoroaluminum complex (AIF(3)) or equiv alent levels of fluoride (F) in the form of sodium-fluoride (NaF). Twe nty seven adult male Long-Evans rats were administered one of three tr eatments for 52 weeks: the control group was administered double disti lled deionized drinking water (ddw). The aluminum-treated group receiv ed ddw with 0.5 ppm AIF(3) and the NaF group received ddw with 2.1 ppm NaF containing the equivalent amount of F as in the AIF(3) ddw. Tissu e aluminum (Al) levels of brain, liver and kidney were assessed with t he Direct Current Plasma (DCP) technique and its distribution assessed with Morin histochemistry. Histological sections of brain were staine d with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), Cresyl violet, Bielschowsky silver s tain, or immunohistochemically for beta-amyloid, amyloid A, and IgM. N o differences were found between the body weights of rats in the diffe rent treatment groups although more rats died in the AIF(3) group than in the control group. The Al levels in samples of brain and kidney we re higher in both the AIF(3) and NaF groups relative to controls. The effects of the two treatments on cerebrovascular and neuronal integrit y were qualitatively and quantitatively different. These alterations w ere greater in animals in the AIF(3) group than in the NaF group and g reater in the NaF group than in controls. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B. V.