Abstract
In fluorosis-endemic areas, exposure to high levels of fluoride causes neurotoxicity such as lowered intelligence and cognitive impairment. Oxidative damage is critical to pathophysiologic processes of fluoride intoxication, and neurotoxicity of fluoride may be associated with oxidative stress. In previous studies, maize purple plant pigment (MPPP), which was rich in anthocyanins, showed a strong scavenging activity in vitro and in vivo. The present study aimed to determine whether treatment with MPPP can alleviate fluoride-induced oxidative damage in rat brain. After 3 months of experiment, brain tissues were assayed for oxidative stress variables, histological and Western blotting examinations. Our results showed that MPPP reduced the elevated malondialdehyde levels, increased superoxide dismutase activity, and further attenuated histopathological alterations and mitigated neuronal apoptosis. Importantly, MPPP also reversed changes in Bax and Bcl-2. Therefore, it was speculated that MPPP protects brain tissue from fluoride toxicity through its antioxidant capacity.
Highlights
Given the widespread presence of fluorine in the natural environment, individuals are exposed to fluoride via foodFluoride is required for normal growth and development of teeth and bones but can lead to fluorosis if taken excessively
Frozen brain tissue samples were placed in ice-cold lysis buffer, homogenized at low temperature, and centrifuged at 4°C at 12,000 × g for 25 min
Lysates with equal amounts of protein were separated on 10% SDS-PAGE and electrotransferred to a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane (Millipore, Bedford, MA, USA), which was blocked with 5% nonfat dried milk in Tris-buffered saline with Tween 20 for 1.5 h at room temperature
Summary
Given the widespread presence of fluorine in the natural environment, individuals are exposed to fluoride via food. Structural changes in nerve cells and brain functions in experimental animals subjected to chronic fluorosis have been described such as nuclear shrinkage, mitochondrial swelling, neurodegeneration, and deterioration of learning and memory [8,9,10]. These findings suggest a direct link between excessive exposure to fluoride and brain function impairment, but little is known about mechanisms underlying these phenomena. 90 Boyan Li et al. Anthocyanins, the largest group of water-soluble pigments responsible for fruit and vegetable color, are flavonoids reputed to have biological antioxidant activity due to their capacity as hydrogen donors [18]. We studied MPPP and any potential neuroprotective effects against fluoride toxicity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
