The interaction of dietary vitamin C, protein, and calcium with fluoride: effects in guinea pigs in relation to breaking strength and radiodensity of bone.

Abstract

Guinea pigs were maintained on semisynthetic diets with or without the adequate amounts of dietary vitamin C, protein, and calcium, and were exposed to 25 ppm of fluoride in drinking water. Bone radiodensity was increased in the guinea pig humerus and tibia by fluoride supplementation, while femur and pelvic bones showed no density increases. Fluoride administration did not affect the torsion or bending strength of the bones of guinea pigs fed normal diets but increased the tensile strength. These physical properties of bones were not altered by low vitamin C or low protein diets. Low calcium diet significantly reduced the tensile strength of guinea pig humeri while the simultaneous administration of fluoride counteracted this effect.