THE ROLE OF FLUORIDE IONS IN GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS SULFATION IN CULTUREDFIBROBLASTS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sulphur incorporation (by S- 35 sulphate) into glycosaminoglycans (GAG) cultures of isolated cells, pericellular substance and medium, and into glycosaminoglycans presen t in sulphate fibroblasts with NaF added to the culture. in the study, primary cultures of fibroblasts were used, isolated by tissue trypsin ization from mice livers. Fibroblasts were cultured with the addition of NaF ([F] = 0.116.10(-3) M/dm(3)) and the addition of NaF and [S-35] -Na2SO4 (activity S-35 = 30 mu Ci/cm(3)). Simultaneously with the expe rimental cultures, control cultures were also examined. The effect of F- ions on culture growth, protein content in fibroblasts, and their m orphometric characteristics were evaluated. Three fractions were isola ted from fibroblast cultures: cell, pericellular substance,;and medium . From these fractions glycosaminoglycans were isolated. GAG obtained from fibroblasts were electrophoretically separated, resulting in hepa ran sulphate (HS), dermatan sulphate (DS), and chondroitin sulphates ( CS). Even in low concentrations F- ions have a toxic effect on fibrobl ast cultures. Growth inhibition and decrease in size, accompanied by a change in shape, were observed. Under the same conditions fluoride io ns significantly modified incorporation of S-35 into fibroblasts and G AG from individual fractions of experimental cultures. Analysis of sul phated GAG content in the fibroblasts showed interference by F- ions, both in their synthesis and metabolism, as well as their diffusion. Th e results suggest a significant increase in synthesis intensity and/or the degree of DS sulphation and a decrease in the intensity of the pr ocess in relation to CS and HS.