Bone as a biomarker of acute fluoride toxicity

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 137; no. 2; pp. 209 - 214
• Main Authors: Bezerra de Menezes, Léa Maria, Volpato, Maria Cristina, Rosalen, Pedro Luiz, Cury, Jaime Aparecido
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ireland Ltd 26.11.2003; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Acute toxicity; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarker; Biomarkers; Bone; Bone density; Cariostatic Agents - administration & dosage; Cariostatic Agents - analysis; Cariostatic Agents - toxicity; Dental care; Dental caries; Female; Femur - chemistry; Fluoridation; Fluoride; Fluorides; Fluorides - administration & dosage; Fluorides - analysis; Fluorides - toxicity; Forensic sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skeleton and joints; Studies; Toxicity; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system; Biomarker; Fluoride; Bone; Acute toxicity; Fluorine; Toxicity; Acute; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Biological marker; Biological indicator; Forensic aspect; Fluorides; Osteoarticular system; Toxicological exploration; Skeleton
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2003.08.001

The use of bone as a biomarker for chronic and acute exposure to fluoride salts has been suggested, but there are no data published about its use to evaluate lethal intoxication. One hundred and sixty rats were divided into eight groups that received a single oral intubation dose from 0 (control) to 90 mg F/kg as NaF. The animals’ time of death was recorded and their femurs were removed for fluoride analysis. Acid-soluble fluoride was determined in the whole bone and on the surface (periosteal), using an ion specific electrode. The data showed a statistically significant relationship between fluoride dose and the number of deaths ( P<0.0001). A statistically significant relationship was also found between fluoride dose and fluoride concentration ([F]) in either the whole femur ( P<0.0017), on the surface ( P<0.0001) or for the ratio periosteal [F]/whole [F] ( P<0.0001). However, the [F] on the femur surface was more closely correlated with mortality than that in the whole bone, showing statistically significant differences among the lethal doses and control ( P<0.05). The data suggest that the ratio [F] periosteal bone/[F] whole bone, is a biomarker for acute fluoride toxicity.