Adverse effects of combined arsenic and fluoride on liver and kidney in rats

In a subacute animal study, the effects of arsenic and fluoride on liver an d kidney in rats were investigated. The results indicated that arsenic, flu oride and their combination affected the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the contents of malondialdeh yde (MDA) and sulphhydryl groups (SH). Antagonistic effects were found betw een arsenic and fluoride as well as on Zn, Fe, Ca, and Mg in liver and Ca, Mg, Sr, and Al in kidney. Arsenic significantly increased the liver and kid ney content of Fe, For Mn there seemed to be synergism between arsenic and fluoride. The effects of arsenic and fluoride on liver and kidney have two aspects: one is direct action; the other is indirect - disturbances of free radical balance and abnormal metabolism of some inorganic elements.