Effect of fluoride on free radical,oxidative stress and ultrastructure of liver in rats

Objective To study the effect of different dosages of fluoride on free radicals,oxidative stress and ultrastructure of liver in rats.Methods Drinking water with various concentrations of sodium fluoride was given to rats for one month.The contents of fluoride,nitnic oxide(NO),maleic dialdehyde(MDA)and activities of glutathion peroxidase(GSH-Px)in the liver of rats were measured.Results The serum fluoride increased in dose-effect manner with the fluoride exposure(R=0.884,P<0.01).There was no significant difference in NO between exposure and control groups(P>0.05).The liver MDA of experimental groups increased with a dose-effect trend compared with the contral group(R=0.797,P<0.01),and the GSH-Px decreased with the fluoride exposure(P<0.01;R=-0.912,P<0.01).The swollen mitochondrion and degeration of fatty cells were observed in midium and high fluoride exposure groups.Conclusion Fluoride exposure may induce oxidatives tress and ultras tructure changes of the liver in rats.