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Published on: March 29, 2018
A brief review on experimental fluorosis.
Ekambaram Perumal1, Vanaja Paul, Vimal Govindarajan
1Molecular Toxicology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamilnadu, India.
Toxicology Letters
|September 21, 2013
Summary
High fluoride exposure harms teeth, bones, and brain function. This review details its toxic effects on multiple organs in animals and humans, noting potential for recovery after exposure cessation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Fluoride (F) is a naturally occurring water contaminant with essential roles in dental and bone health.
- Elevated fluoride levels, from various sources, pose significant health risks beyond teeth and bones.
- Understanding fluoride's systemic toxicity is crucial for public health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the chronic harmful effects of fluoride exposure.
- To investigate fluoride's impact on various organs and systems, including neurotoxicity.
- To explore fluoride's effects on reproduction, teratogenicity, and aging, and potential for toxicity reversal.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of existing scientific literature and in vitro studies.
- Analysis of experimental animal studies demonstrating fluoride's toxic effects.
- Inclusion of reports on neurotoxic actions, reproductive effects, and aging.
Main Results:
- Chronic fluoride exposure causes deleterious effects on teeth, bones, heart, liver, kidneys, brain, and other organs.
- Fluoride exposure significantly impairs learning and memory, indicating neurotoxic potential.
- Harmful effects extend to reproduction, fetal development (teratogenicity), and premature aging.
Conclusions:
- Fluoride toxicity affects multiple organ systems, with significant neurotoxic consequences.
- Experimental evidence suggests that some fluoride-induced toxicities may be reversible upon exposure cessation.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate fluoride's mechanisms of toxicity and recovery.
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