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The correlation between fluoride-induced bone damage and reduced DLAV formation in Zebrafish Larvae
Ailin Lan1, Yi Gong2, Xiaofen Li1
1Judicial Appraisal Center, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Herbal Medicines, Guizhou Education Department, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, PR China.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|November 19, 2024
Summary
Fluoride exposure harms zebrafish bone development by disrupting cartilage and bone formation. This skeletal damage may be linked to the loss of dorsal longitudinal anastomotic vessels (DLAV).
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Toxicology
- Zebrafish Models
Background:
- Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease caused by excessive fluoride intake.
- The precise mechanisms underlying fluoride-induced bone damage remain incompletely understood.
- Zebrafish larvae offer a valuable model for studying bone development and toxicology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of fluoride-induced bone damage in zebrafish.
- To explore the relationship between fluoride exposure and the loss of dorsal longitudinal anastomotic vessel (DLAV) formation.
- To understand the impact of fluoride on chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish larvae were exposed to control, low-fluoride (LF), and high-fluoride (HF) conditions.
- Assessed chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and DLAV angiogenesis.
- Measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and gene expression (OC, ALP, Runx2b, OPG, RANKL).
Main Results:
- Fluoride exposure led to abnormal cartilage development and bone mineralization.
- Osteoblast and osteoclast gene expression was significantly altered.
- DLAV angiogenesis was impaired, and ROS levels increased with higher fluoride concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Fluoride exposure negatively impacts bone development processes (chondrogenesis and osteogenesis) in zebrafish.
- Fluoride-induced bone damage is potentially associated with the disruption of DLAV angiogenesis.
- This study highlights the detrimental effects of fluoride on skeletal development and vascularization.
