Role of global histone H3 acetylation in patients with skeletal fluorosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationships between different levels of fluoride, the global histone H3 acetylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the condition of skeletal fluorosis, which might be helpful in explaining the mechanism of skeletal fluorosis. Methods In 2012, two counties were chosen in each area, the Tibetan living area in Guoluo of Qinghai Province and the Kazakh living area in Altay of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and 3 to 4 drinking brick-tea type fluorosis districts were chosen as the investigated districts in the counties. Totally 59 patients with skeletal fluorosis in the typical brick-tea type fluorosis districts were selected, and 59 healthy controls were selected based on age (difference ≤3 years old) and nationality. The adults were investigated by questionnaire, brick-tea water (or buttered tea), urine and 2 ml peripheral blood samples were collected, and their skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed according to the national criteria. The fluoride concentrations in brick-tea water (or Buttered tea) and urine were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode. The global histone H3 acetylation was quantified using colorimetric methord. Results The global histone H3 acetylation in PBMC between female and male population (female: 20.05 mg/g and male: 19.94 mg/g) was not significantly different (U = 1 664.5,P > 0.05). The global histone H3 acetylation in PBMC between Tibetans (17.73 mg/g) and Kazakans (20.49 mg/g) was not significantly different (U =-0.902,P > 0.05). However, global histone H3 acetylation and age was positively correlated (r =-0.213,P 3.25-8.05, > 8.05-12.33, > 12.33 mg) and global histone H3 acetylation in PBMC (21.12, 20.05, 19.94 and 35.04 mg/g,H = 1.706,P > 0.05). There was also no significant difference between urine fluoride (4 group: 0-1.69,> 1.69-2.64, > 2.64-4.00, > 4.00 mg/L) and global histone H3 acetylation in PBMC (24.42, 18.13, 19.80 and 28.90 mg/g,H = 5.928,P > 0.05). Global histone H3 acetylation in PBMC from fluorosis patients (21.69 mg/g) and control healthy subjects was similar (19.43 mg/g,Z =-1.39,P > 0.05). The difference among the different conditions of skeletal fluorosis (normal group, mild group and moderate group) was not significant (median: 19.43, 21.32 and 35.95 mg/g,H = 1.692,P > 0.05). Conclusions High fluoride exposure maybe not the factors influencing the global histone H3 acetylation in PBMC. Key words: Fluorosis, skeleton; Histone; Acetylation