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Fluoride 1992; 25(2):77-84

Studies on alterations in brain lipid metabolism following experimental fluorosis

A Shashi

Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, Patala 147002, India

Summary: The neurotoxic effect of fluoride on lipid content of brain was assessed in rabbits during experimental fluorosis. Sodium fluoride at 5, 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight/day was injected subcutaneously for 100 days into 60 rabbits of both sexes. The control animals were given 1 cc distilled water/kg body weight/day for the same period. Biochemical studies showed hyperlipidemia, hyperphospholipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia in the brain of treated animals of both sexes. The maximum increase in total lipids, phospholipids and triglycerides of brain occurred in animals treated with 50 mg NaF/kg. In male rabbits, the cholesterol content of brain rose suddenly (p<0.001) in the 5 mg fluoride group, followed by gradual decline in 10, 20 and 50 mg fluoride groups. In females, the cholesterol level rose (p<0.001) in animals of the 5, 10 and 20 mg fluoride groups and fell suddenly in the 50 mg fluoride group. Fluoride exerts an inhibitory effect on the free fatty acids in brain of both sexes. The relevance of these results in experimental fluorosis is discussed.

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