Fluoride exposure accelerates the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis: animal model

Abstract

From the viewpoint of the crystal formation mechanism (Fig. 1), we demonstrated recently that the combined effects of estrogen (Es) deficiency together with cadmium (Cd) exposure adversely affected the supply of carbonate ions during the crystal nucleation process, resulting in the increase of amorphous minerals in the bone associating with itai-itai disease, Cd-induced osteoporosis. We also reported that fluoride (F) exposure was much greater than that of Cd exposure in terms of the detrimental effect on the crystal nucleation process. This led to the assumption that F schemes such as water fluoridation for public health may accelerate the risk of developing postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore, the present study was conducted to raise awareness that water fluoridation for public health is the misconception. Furthermore, it is suggested that the primary cause of osteoporosis may result from the declining bone formation. (No conflict of interest)