Histochemical pattern of gastrocnemius muscle in fluoride toxicity syndrome

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on cytochemical distribution of proteins, DNA, and RNA in the gastrocnemius muscle of rat in experimental fluorosis. Methods Young Sprague Dawley albino rats were administered with NaF at 30, 45, and 75 mg/kg bw/day subcutaneously for 15 and 30 days, respectively. The control animals were given the vehicle (1cc deionized double distilled water/kg bw/day). Results In the first phase of 15 days experimentation, the gastrocnemius muscle of rats intoxicated with NaF at 30, 45, and 75 mg/kg bw/day showed decline in proteins including α amino acids as compared to control. In the second phase of 30 days experimentation, the muscle fibers of rat showed elevation in sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic proteins in 30 mg NaF dose group, and angulated fibers exhibited increase in sarcolemmal proteins in 45 mg NaF group. The marginal regions of angular and rim fibers showed deeply stained rings of sarcoplasmic proteins whereas the split fibers were faintly stained in rats treated with NaF at 75 mg/kg bw/day for 30 days. In rats treated with NaF at 30 mg/kg bw/day for 15 days, the hypertrophied peripheral muscle fibers contained more DNA, however the atrophied fibers had more RNA. In 45 mg NaF group, RNA was located in sarcolemmal regions, while DNA content decreased as compared to control. In 75 mg NaF group, the muscle fibers had dark and light staining regions of DNA and RNA. In the 30 days of experimentation, the DNA level decreased whereas RNA content increased in the gastrocnemius muscle fibers of the rat treated with NaF at 30 mg/kg bw/day. In treatment group with NaF at 45 mg/kg bw/day, the RNA content slightly declined in comparison to control, in all treatments for 15 days as well as in treatment group with NaF at 30 mg/kg bw/day for 30 days whereas the amount of DNA slightly increased as compared to treatment group with NaF at 75 mg/kg bw/day for 15 days. The highest dose group revealed elevated amount of RNA whereas DNA content remained stable. Conclusions The findings of present study demonstrate that certain concentrations of fluoride can induce muscle lesions and damage DNA, RNA, and protein in muscle cells and excessive intake and accumulation of fluoride is therefore a serious risk factor for muscular abnormalities in fluorosis.