[Hardness of bone tissue in growing rats treated by fluoride of various concentration]

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of fluoride exposure on both bone fluorine content and bone hardness in rats. Twenty eight 6-weeks-old female rats were divided in four groups. One group served as a control group and received distilled water to drink, and the other three groups received fluoridated water at different doses (8, 30 and 60 mg F-/l). The rats were followed for 6 weeks. Both femoral bones were obtained from each rat, and changes in cortical bone fluoride content and Vickers microhardness in distal femoral diaphysis were assessed. Fluoride concentration in bone increased significantly with the fluoride intake through the water supply. Microhardness values were significantly greater in groups receiving fluoridated water, with maximum values in the 30 mg F-/l treated group. The results of this study show the usefulness of Vickers microhardness tests in examining mechanical changes in cortical bone after experimental exposure to fluoride.