Effect of sodium fluoride on the grey matter of spinal cord in the albino rat and the protective role of green tea extract

Abstract

Objectives: Fluoride is a toxic and reactive element. Human beings are exposed to fluoride from various sources such as toothpastes, mouth rinses, dietary supplements and ordinary drinking water. This work investigated the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF), alone or with green tea, on the grey matter of spinal cord of adult male albino rats. Methods:Spinal cord sections were examined using light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical assessments for the expression of caspase-3 and glial fibrillary acidic protein were performed. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used for DNA fragmentation. Results:Our results showed that NaF produced neurodegeneration, vacuolation and haemorrhage with some abnormal blood vessels and a significant increase in the number and size of astrocytes. In addition, the neurons showed a significant decrease of their Nissl's granules content and significant increased expression of caspase-3. Conclusion:Green tea exerted a protective effect against NaF-induced neurotoxicity. The results of this work add to the known toxic effects of NaF and provide a new insight into the possible use of green tea to ameliorate these effects.

Effect of prenatal exposure of green tea extract on the developing central nervous system of rat fetuses; histological, immune-histochemical and ultrastructural studies

“…Also, the body weight of 20-day old fetuses was significantly decreased in the GTE (B) and GTE (C) groups. This agrees with many other studies which stated that supplementation of polyphenols of green tea in water or GTE administration to rats caused body weight loss ( Lu et al, 2012 , Abo El-Khair et al, 2016 ). Similarly, Baláži et al (2016) reported that green tea powder in the rabbit diet decreases the weight gains per week and the total average weight gains.…”

“…Astrocytes and GFAP expression are upregulated in response to neurodegenerative diseases or exposure to neurotoxins. So, it was involved in neuron recovery and neuroinflammatory response in CNS pathology ( Wang et al, 2006 , Abo El-Khair et al, 2016 ). The main functions of astrocytes were providing nourishment, gases, metabolic support to neurons and remove the waste product between neurons in the CNS ( Archibong et al, 2017 ).…”

Morphological, ultrastructural, and biochemical changes induced by sodium fluoride in the tongue of adult male albino rat and the ameliorative effect of resveratrol

“…Fluoride is absorbed completely and quickly from the gastrointestinal tract and crosses the cell membranes to enter the soft tissues resulting in impairment of their functions [13]. Moreover, fluoride can pass through the blood brain barrier and cause adverse effects on mental functions [14,15]. After chronic fluoride administration, aberrant behavior patterns, altered neuronal and cerebrovascular integrity and metabolic abnormalities were found in the animals' blood, brain, and liver [16].…”