Pre-and postnatal exposition to fluorides induce changes in rats liver morphology by impairment of antioxidant defense mechanisms and COX induction.

INTRODUCTION: Fluorides are common in the environment and are absorbed mostly in the stomach and gut, it can easily move through cell membranes and its accumulation can cause harmful effects in skeletal and soft tissues. One of the most important F- accumulation sites is the liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether F- can cause inflammation in rat liver by affecting the activity of antioxidant enzymes and changes in the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vivo model of prenatal and postnatal exposure to sodium fluoride (NaF) was used to carry out the experiment. Animals from control group received tap water to drink, while animals exposed to F- received drinking water containing NaF, 50 mg/L. In serum and liver we analyzed F- concentration, in liver - antioxidant enzymes activity, PGE2 and TXB2 concentration and immunolocalization of COX1 and COX2 proteins were measured. RESULTS: We observed significant changes in F- concentration only in liver. The results of this study showed that F- affects antioxidant enzymes activity, COX2 protein expression and PGE2 synthesis in liver. Also, in some regions of the liver of rats exposed to F-, the hepatocytes were diffusely altered, with changes resembling microvesicular steatosis. CONCLUSION: Chronic exposure to F- during development causes an accumulation of this element in the liver and changes in antioxidant enzymes activity and cyclooxygenase expression. Long term exposure to this element is toxic to the liver and can cause disturbances in its homeostasis.

CD36 gene polymorphism and plasma sCD36 as the risk factor in higher cholesterolemia.

INTRODUCTION: The receptor CD36 has been reported to play an important role in atherogenicity. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the relationship between CD36 gene polymorphisms or the plasma concentration of sCD36 and clinical or biochemical parameters in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study groups comprised Caucasian children with and without hypercholesterolemia. The alterations in the CD36 gene were detected by DHPLC and the plasma concentrations of sCD36 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The data presented suggest that the IVS4-10A allele of CD36 (rs3211892) is associated with a lower risk of hypercholesterolemia. We observed a negative correlation of the sCD36 concentration with uric acid and insulin concentrations, the HOMA-IR ratio, weight, waist and hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist-hip ratio and mean arterial pressure ratio, but a positive correlation with HDL cholesterol and ApoA1 concentrations. Female gender was a significant independent predictor of a higher plasma sCD36 concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest a possible protective effect of a higher sCD36 concentration in relation to metabolic syndrome components.

Beer as a Rich Source of Fluoride Delivered into the Body.

Fluoride is an element which in the minimum amount is necessary for the proper construction of the teeth and bones. But on the other hand, it increases the synthesis of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators, and impairs the action of enzymes. Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world. Due to its prevalence and volume of consumption, it should be considered as a potential source of F- and taken into account in designing a balanced diet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze beer samples in terms of F- levels. The concentrations of fluoride were examined using ion-selective electrode Thermo Scientific Orion and statistical analysis was based on two-way ANOVA and t test. When compared to imported beers, Polish beers were characterized by the lowest mean F- concentration (0.089 ppm). The highest mean F- concentrations were recorded in beers from Thailand (0.260 ppm), Italy (0.238 ppm), Mexico (0.210 ppm), and China (0.203 ppm). Our study shows that beer is a significant source of fluoride for humans, which is mainly associated with the quality of the water used in beer production.

Propylparaben-induced disruption of energy metabolism in human HepG2 cell line leads to increased synthesis of superoxide anions and apoptosis.

The effect of propylparaben (in final concentrations 0.4 ng/ml, 2.3 ng/ml and 4.6 ng/ml) on the energy metabolism of HepG2 hepatocytes, superoxide anion synthesis, apoptosis and necrosis is described. Propylparaben can be toxic to liver cells due to the increased production of superoxide anions, which can contribute to a reduced concentration of superoxide dismutase in vivo and impairment of the body's antioxidant mechanisms. Finally, a further reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential and uncoupling of the respiratory chain resulting in a reduction in ATP concentration as a result of mitochondrial damage may lead to cell death by apoptosis.

Fluoride as a factor initiating and potentiating inflammation in THP1 differentiated monocytes/macrophages.

It is well known that exposure to fluorides lead to an increased ROS production and enhances the inflammatory reactions. Therefore we decided to examine whether cyclooxygenases (particular COX-2) activity and expression may be changed by fluoride in THP1 macrophages and in this way may change the prostanoids biosynthesis. In the present work we demonstrate that fluoride increased concentration of PGE2 and TXA2 in THP1 macrophages. Following exposure to 1-10 µM NaF, COX-2 protein and COX-2 transcript increased markedly. COX-2 protein up-regulation probably is mediated by ROS, produced during fluoride-induced inflammatory reactions. Additional fluoride activates the transcription factor, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, which is involved in the up-regulation of COX-2 gene expression. This study indicated that even in small concentrations fluoride changes the amounts and activity of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes taking part in the initiating and development of inflammatory process.

The Fluoride Content of Yerba Mate Depending on the Country of Origin and the Conditions of the Infusion.

There are many reports of the positive effect of yerba mate on the human body. Elemental composition analysis of yerba mate revealed the presence of many microelements and macroelements, but there is no literature data referencing the content and the effect of the method of preparing the yerba mate infusion on the amount of released fluoride and thus the amount of this element supplied to the human body. Therefore, in the traditional way (cold and hot), we prepared infusions of yerba mate from different countries and determined in samples content of fluoride using potentiometric method. Hot infusions resulted in statistically significant (p = 0.03) increases in the amount of fluoride released from the dried material to the water, compared to brewing with water at room temperature. The successive refills of hot water also resulted in a release of the same amount of fluoride, although smaller than the infusion with water at room temperature (at the third refill, it was statistically significantly smaller at p = 0.003). With an increase in the number of hot water refills, the amount of fluoride released from the sample portion significantly decreased. Similar results were recorded when analyzing samples depending on the country of origin. The amount of fluoride released into the water differed statistically significantly depending on the country of origin. The most fluoride was determined in the infusions of yerba mate from Argentina and the least in infusions from Paraguay.