Abstract
Drinking water is a major source of fluoride and aluminium intake and these substances are known to cross the blood-brain barrier and alter the structure and function of neural tissues. One concern that has not been fully investigated is the link between fluoride, aluminium and their effects on the central nervous system. Twenty female Wistar rats were used for this investigation. Fifteen which served as the treatment group were given sodium fluoride, aluminium fluoride and their combination. The control was given distilled water for 21 days. The cerebellum was excised and histological investigations were carried out using routine Haematoxylin and Eosin, Periodic-acid Schiff and Cresyl violet stains. Results revealed appearance of vacuolar spaces, cellular fragmentation and ghost-like appearance of neuronal cells of the treatment group, while the cells of the control group appeared intact with regular cell morphology and intact cellular integrity. Key words: Sodium fluoride, aluminium chloride, cerebellum, neurotoxicity
Highlights
Fluoride is the monovalent anion derived from the element fluorine and it is present in many salts, including sodium fluoride and aluminium fluoride
Fluoride salts or other compounds that release fluoride ion may be added to drinking water to prevent dental caries (Bassin et al, 2006)
The degenerated cells were marked with appearance of vacuolar spaces found distributed among the cells, indicating the combined effects of NaF and AlCl3
Summary
Fluoride is the monovalent anion derived from the element fluorine and it is present in many salts, including sodium fluoride and aluminium fluoride. When these salts are dissolved in water, the free fluoride ions are released (Aigueperse et al, 2005). Fluoride salts or other compounds that release fluoride ion may be added to drinking water to prevent dental caries (Bassin et al, 2006). Fluoride releasing compounds are added for this purpose to a wide variety of dental products including toothpastes and mouthwashes (Levy and GuhaChowdhury, 1999). The public is exposed to fluoride ion by drinking fluoridated water and by using fluoride-containing dental products and treatments. Exposure may occur through naturally present fluoride in foods and beverages, and in some cases by inhalation of fluoride compounds in the air (Aigueperse et al, 2005)
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