EJMS

Abstract

Introduction: Sodium ﬂuoride (NaF) toxicity has been a subject of extensive studies because of its world widespread natural distribution. It is commonly added to drinking water, tooth pastes as a decay preventive ingredient. However it becomes toxic at long term exposure and causes dangerous effects on the health Aim of the Work: This work was performed to study the histological changes occurring in the livers of mothers and their suckling offspring following excess exposure to NaF and to evaluate the efficacy of silymarin supplementation against these changes. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 80 healthy mice (40 adult female mice, 6-8 weeks and 40 of their offspring, 2 weeks old). After determination of pregnancy, dams were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A and B mice were control groups. Group C (sodium fluoride-treated group), dams which received sodium fluoride orally in a daily dose of dose of 0.5g/L, (equivalent to 75mg/kg / bw ) from day 15 of pregnancy until day 14 after parturition. Group D: dams which received silymarin orally in a daily dose of 200 mg/kg/bw/day simultaneously with sodium fluoride.After delivery, their offspring were kept under observation and were breast fed. The offspring of groups A, B, C and D, are named as group A1, B1, C1 and D1 respectively. At the time of sacrifice, liver samples were obtained and processed for both light and electron microscope studies. Immunohistochemical study using anti- inducible nitrous oxide synthase enzyme (anti-iNOS) as a marker of oxidative stress was also performed and the area percent of positively stained cells was morphometrically estimated and statistically analyzed. Results: Microscopic examination of sodium fluoride treated groups (dams and their offspring) revealed vacuolation of hepatocytes which appeared apoptotic with heterochromatic nuclei. the cytoplasm contained dilated tubules of sER, mitochondria were pleomorphic swollen with distorted cristae. Numerous lipid droplets were also observed. Moreover, several changes in the form of dilatation and congestion of blood vessels, hemorrhage between hepatocytes, cellular infiltration, bile duct proliferation and collagen filaments deposition were also observed. Immunohistochemical stained sections for iNOS from the treated groups showed strong positive cytoplasmic reaction. Co-administration of sodium fluoride with silymarin showed a considerable degree of preservation of the hepatic architecture. While, Immunohistochemical stained sections for iNOS from the same groups revealed positive cytoplasmic reaction in some liver cells and negative immune reaction in others. Conclusion: From this study it could be concluded that sodium fluoride toxicity induced severe liver damage in female mice and their offspring and concomitant administration of silymarin was efficient in protecting liver tissue Recommendation: These findings could be considered for persons who are subjected to flourosis after further investigations for availability of human application and strict clinical supervision .