Effects of fluoride in bone repair: an evaluation of RANKL, OPG and TRAP expression.

The objective of this study was to evaluate comparatively the effect of fluoride in the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in alveolar bone repair in rats. We used 3 groups of male Wistar rats (n = 5/group), which received drinking water containing different doses of F (NaF): 0, 5 and 50 ppm, for 60 days before the incisors extraction. The upper incisors were extracted and the animals were killed 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after extraction. The hemi-maxillae were collected for microscopic examination (histomorphometric and immunostaining for RANKL, OPG and TRAP). Histomorphometric analysis confirmed an increase in the volume density of neoformed bone between 7 and 30 days for groups control, 5 and 50 ppm of F, with a concomitant decrease in the volume density of connective tissue and blood clot. Higher blood clot for groups 5 and 50 ppm of F at 30 days was observed. The RANKL and OPG expressions were not changed by chronic exposure to fluoride in the drinking water during the studied periods; on the other hand, TRAP expression was changed (at 7 days) by chronic exposure to fluoride (p < 0.05). It was concluded that F in high concentrations can slow the blood clot remission and bone repair, and alter the TRAP expression in the beginning of the bone tissue repair. However, a better understanding about this blood clot remission phenomenon is required.

Fluoride effect on the process of alveolar bone repair in rats: evaluation of activity of MMP-2 and 9

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate comparatively the effect of fluoride (F) on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) involved in process of alveolar bone repair. Material and methods: This study used 4 groups of Wistar rats with 80 days of life (n = 160) which received drinking water containing different doses of fluoride (NaF): 5, 15, 50 ppm and deionized water (control) throughout the experiment. These animals had their right upper incisors extracted. After extraction, the animals were euthanized at 7, 14, 21 and 30 days and the hemi-maxillae were collected for microscopic analysis (Hematoxylin and Eosin and immunohistochemistry for MMP-9) and zymography (MMP-2 and 9).Results: Microscopically the process of bone repair was similar in all groups, being noted only a delay of the blood clot resorption and bone formation in the group of 50 ppm F. The expression for MMP-9 showed differences betweengroups only during the initial repair (7 days). However, the zymography showed no significant differences between treated and control groups. Conclusion: Ours results suggest an effect of fluoride on the activity of MMPs 2 and 9 at the initial period of alveolar repair which could be associated to the process of blood clot remission and delay in bone repair. Further studies are needed to establish the relationship between the initial process of resorption of the blood clot, and the involvement of MMPs 2 and 9 and its regulators/tissue inhibitors.

Alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma and liver of rats submitted to chronic exposure to fluoride

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of fluoride (F) on alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver and plasma of the rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats (n=6), which received drinking water containing 5, 15 or 50 ppm F or deionized water (control) throughout the experiment were included in the study. The animals were euthanized and had their tissues and blood plasma collected for the analysis of fluoride and alkaline phosphatase. There was an increase in F concentration in most tissues in the animals treated with higher F concentrations, except for the heart. The alkaline phosphatase assay showed an increase in the activity in the liver and blood plasma of the animals treated with fluoride concentrations of 15 and 50 ppm (p<0.05). This study suggested that F at a concentration of 50 ppm in drinking water promotes increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the liver and blood plasma.