Abstract
Fluoride is a serious health hazard across several nations, and chronic intake of fluoride deranges the carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant metabolism in general. As there are limited remedial measures to prevent fluorosis, we investigated the role of tamarind leaf as a food supplement in restoration of carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant metabolism in fluoride-exposed albino rats. Albino rats were exposed to fluoride (100ppm sodium fluoride) through drinking water and fed diet supplemented with tamarind leaf powder (2.5, 5 and 10g%) for 4weeks. Carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant profiles were investigated in both controls and fluoride-exposed animals. While 4-week exposure to fluoride elevated plasma glucose and lipid profiles, simulating diabetic and hyperlipidaemic conditions, the antioxidant defence mechanisms of fluoride-exposed rats were compromised, with elevation and decline in lipid peroxidation and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, respectively. When the diet was supplemented with tender tamarind leaves (used in southern India as a replacement for tamarind or other sour food ingredients), significant improvements in carbohydrate and lipid profiles occurred as evidenced by decreased plasma glucose and lipid levels, lipid peroxidation, increased hepatic glycogen content, hexokinase activity and cholesterol excretion, with simultaneous improvement in antioxidant profiles of both hepatic and renal tissues. These findings are significant in view of the need for cost-effective approaches to tackle fluorosis as an environmental hazard and use of food supplements as ameliorative measures.
Highlights
Fluorosis is both endemic and global, spanning several continents
Albino rats were exposed to fluoride (100 ppm sodium fluoride) through drinking water and fed diet supplemented with tamarind leaf powder (2.5, 5 and 10 g %) for 4 weeks
Narasimhacharya (&) Laboratory for Animal Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Sardar Patel Maidan, Vadtal Road, Satellite Campus, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India e-mail: narasimhacharya@spuvvn.edu. These findings are significant in view of the need for cost-effective approaches to tackle fluorosis as an environmental hazard and use of food supplements as ameliorative measures
Summary
Natural geological sources and more recently the advent of increased industrialization and attendant environmental pollution have contributed greatly to the increasing incidence of fluoride-related human health issues. High levels of fluoride in drinking water have become a potential health hazard all over the world, with approximately 66.62 million victims in India alone. Fluoride enters the human and animal body through drinking water and to a lesser extent through food [1]. Fluoride is reported to be hyperglycaemic, as it significantly elevated fasting blood glucose levels in laboratory animals, which was attributed to lowered insulin levels [4, 5]. Exposure to fluoride results in generation of anion superoxide (O2-), increased O2 concentration and its downstream consequences such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
