Effect of fluoride on liver function, expression of GSH-Px gene and ultrastructure of liver cell in rats

Objective To study the effects of different dosages of fluoride on liver function,expression of GSH-Px gene,and the ultrastruc ture of liver cell in rats.Methods Drinking water with various concentrations of sodium fluoride was given to rats for 1 month.The contents of the fluoride,the activities of asparate aminotransfe rase(AST),alamine aminotransferase(ALT),glutathion peroxidase(GSH-Px),and mRNA of GSH-Px in liver of the rats were measured.Results The serum fluoride increased in dose 2effect manner with the fluoride exposure.The activities of AST and AL T of experimental groups increased with a dose-effect trend compared with that of the control group.The mRNA of GSH-Px of liver was decreased with the fluoride exposure.The swollen of mitochondrion and degeration of fatty cells were observed in middle and high dose fluoride exposure groups.Conclusion Fluoride exposure may induce decreased expression of mRNA of GSH-Px and restrained antioxidation function of liver in rats.