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Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
Published on: March 29, 2018
Ultrastructural morphometric analysis of ameloblasts exposed to fluoride during tooth development.
Daniel A Ribeiro1, Luciane Hirota, Tania M Cestari
1Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Av. Ana Costa 95, Santos 110601-001, SP, Brazil. ak92@hotmail.com
Journal of Molecular Histology
|November 2, 2006
Summary
High fluoride doses damage secretory ameloblasts during tooth enamel development. Ultrastructural analysis revealed increased mitochondria in secretory ameloblasts, but no effects were seen in maturation ameloblasts.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Fluoride exposure is widespread, necessitating understanding its effects on dental enamel formation.
- Ameloblasts are crucial cells responsible for enamel matrix secretion and maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on ameloblasts during enamel development.
- To evaluate cellular damage using ultrastructural morphometric analysis.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were exposed to 7 ppm and 100 ppm NaF in drinking water for 6 weeks.
- Ultrastructural morphometric analysis quantified organelle volume density in secretory and maturation ameloblasts.
- Organelles assessed included RER, granules, lysosomes, phagic vacuoles, microfilaments, and mitochondria.
Main Results:
- A significant 29% increase in mitochondria volume density was observed in secretory ameloblasts of rats exposed to 100 ppm NaF (P < 0.05).
- No significant differences in organelle volume density were found in maturation ameloblasts across all groups.
- High-dose NaF induced cellular damage specifically in secretory ameloblasts.
Conclusions:
- High doses of sodium fluoride induce cellular damage in secretory ameloblasts during enamel development.
- Fluoride does not appear to exert noxious effects on maturation ameloblasts at the ultrastructural level.
- These findings highlight the sensitivity of secretory ameloblasts to fluoride toxicity.
