Abstract
Fluorine, a toxic and reactive element, is widely prevalent throughout the environment and can induce toxicity when absorbed into the body. This study was to explore the possible mechanisms of developmental neurotoxicity in rats treated with different levels of sodium fluoride (NaF). The rats' intelligence, as well as changes in neuronal morphology, glucose absorption, and functional gene expression within the brain were determined using the Morris water maze test, transmission electron microscopy, small-animal magnetic resonance imaging and Positron emission tomography and computed tomography, and Western blotting techniques. We found that NaF treatment-impaired learning and memory in these rats. Furthermore, NaF caused neuronal degeneration, decreased brain glucose utilization, decreased the protein expression of glucose transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, and increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the rat brains. The developmental neurotoxicity of fluoride may be closely associated with low glucose utilization and neurodegenerative changes.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Body Weight / drug effects
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Brain / diagnostic imaging
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Brain / drug effects*
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Brain / metabolism
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Brain / pathology
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / biosynthesis
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
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CA1 Region, Hippocampal / drug effects
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CA1 Region, Hippocampal / ultrastructure
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Female
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Fluorine Radioisotopes
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Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / biosynthesis
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / genetics
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Glucose / metabolism*
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Glucose Transporter Type 1 / biosynthesis
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Glucose Transporter Type 1 / genetics
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Learning Disabilities / chemically induced
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Male
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Maze Learning / drug effects
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Memory Disorders / chemically induced
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Multimodal Imaging
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Nerve Degeneration / chemically induced*
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Organ Size / drug effects
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Positron-Emission Tomography
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Radiopharmaceuticals
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Random Allocation
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Sodium Fluoride / toxicity*
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Substances
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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Fluorine Radioisotopes
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
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Glucose Transporter Type 1
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Radiopharmaceuticals
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Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
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Sodium Fluoride
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Glucose