Experimental Study of the Impact of Low Fluorine Concentrations on the Tissue Level of HSP Family Proteins

Abstract

Introduction. Fluoride in high concentrations has a toxic effect not only on bone tissue but also on the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain. In the implementation of the response to toxic doses of fluorine the proteins of the HSP family are involved regulating intracellular and tissue homeostasis under various stress effects. The toxic effect of high fluorine concentrations the mechanisms of which are disclosed in fluorosis can be realized and at a level significantly lower than a toxic one. In the literature, there is little data on the peculiarities of the effects of low fluorine concentrations at the tissue and cellular levels. The aim of the study. To investigate the impact of low fluorine concentrations on the tissue level of HSP family proteins in the brain and liver of laboratory animals. Material and methods. The experiments were carried out on 60 white male rats of the same age weighing 200-250 g. The rats were divided into 2 groups: the control and the group of the animals exposed to sodium fluoride (NaF) within 6 weeks (at a concentration of 10 mg/l corresponding to the daily fluorine dose of 1.2 mg/kg per body weight). We determined the level of inducible HSP72 and HSP32 (heme-oxygenase-1) referred to proteins of HSP family (Heat shock proteins), the activity of free radical processes and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase) in the brain and liver tissues. Results. The important role of stress-inducible HSP72 protein in protecting the brain from the damage caused by the prolonged exposure to low fluorine concentrations was shown. In the liver, a protective role against fluoride exposure is played by the protein HSP32 with antioxidant properties. At the tissue level, the prolongation of the terms of the development of chronic fluoride intoxication with low fluorine concentrations was revealed. In the liver appeared to be the highly sensitive organ to the fluorine accumulation, the significant lesion was detected.