EJMS

Abstract

Introduction: Sodium ﬂuoride (NaF) toxicity has been a subject of extensive studies over the last years because of its world widespread distribution. The lung is more susceptible to oxidative injury than any other organ in the body because of constant exposure to air that contains toxic fluoride particles. Aim of the Work: This work was performed to study the histological changes occurring in the lung of albino rats following exposure to NaF and the reversibility of these changes after its withdrawal. In addition, this work was performed to evaluate the possible protective role of coenzyme Q10 supplementation. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 40 adult male albino rats, which were divided into four groups: group I, which was considered as control; group II (sodium fluoride-treated group), which received sodium fluoride orally in a daily dose of 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 weeks; group III (withdrawal group), which received the same dose of sodium fluoride for 4 weeks and were sacrificed 10 days after withdrawal of the drug; and group IV (protected group), which received coenzyme Q10 orally in a daily dose of 12 mg/kg body weight simultaneously with sodium fluoride for 4 weeks. At the time of sacrifice, the lungs were dissected and tissue samples were processed for both light and electron microscopic studies. Immunohistochemical study using 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: Examination of sodium fluoride treated group revealed collapsed alveoli, thickening of interalveolar septa, cellular infiltration and collagen deposition. Vacuolation and destruction of the microvilli of pneumocytes type II and affection of the blood air barrier were observed. Partial improvement occurred after withdrawal of the toxin, but co-administration of sodium fluoride with coenzyme Q10 showed a considerable degree of preservation of the pulmonary alveolar architecture. Conclusion: From this study it could be concluded that sodium fluoride toxicity induced severe lung damage and its withdrawal showed partial improvement of these effects but concomitant administration of coenzyme Q10 could protect the lung tissue.