ArticlePDF Available

Effects of chronic fluorosis on thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and protein-bound iodine in cows

Authors:
Ali Çınar at Atatürk University
Ali Çınar
Muzaffer Selcuk at Van Yuzuncu Yil University
Muzaffer Selcuk
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chronic fluorosis in cows on their blood serum levels of thyroxine (T 4), triiodothyronine (T 3), and protein-bound iodine (PBI). Data collected from twenty cows with chronic fluorosis in the Tendurek Mountain region (altitude about 2000 m) in East Anatolia, Turkey, were compared with data from ten healthy cows from the Van region (altitude 1700 m). Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the serum values in the controls and the fluorotic cows were found: 5.7±0.48 vs 3.7±0.45 µg/dL for T 4 , 1.53±0.038 vs 0.97±0.051 ng/mL for T 3 , and 3.8±0.29 vs 2.6±0.23 µg/dL for PBI. Hypothyroidism was therefore evident in the cows with chronic fluorosis.
Content uploaded by Ali Çınar
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Ali Çınar on Oct 29, 2014
Content may be subject to copyright.
Fluoride 2005;38(1):65–68 Research report 65
Fluoride 2005;38(1)
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC FLUOROSIS ON THYROXINE,
TRIIODOTHYRONINE, AND PROTEIN-BOUND IODINE IN COWS
A Cinar,a M Selcukb
Van, Turkey
SUMMARY: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chronic fluorosis in
cows on their blood serum levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and
protein-bound iodine (PBI). Data collected from twenty cows with chronic fluorosis
in the Tendurek Mountain region (altitude about 2000 m) in East Anatolia, Turkey,
were compared with data from ten healthy cows from the Van region (altitude 1700
m). Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the serum values in the
fluorotic cows and the controls were found: 5.7±0.48 vs 3.7±0.45 µg/dL for T4,
1.53±0.038 vs 0.97±0.051 ng/mL for T3, and 3.8±0.29 vs 2.6±0.23 µg/dL for PBI.
Hypothyroidism was therefore evident in the cows with chronic fluorosis.
Keywords: Chronic Fluorosis; Cows in Turkey; Protein-bound iodine; Thyroxine;
Triiodothyronine.
INTRODUCTION
Fluoride is known to accumulate not only in bones and teeth but also, to a lesser
extent, in soft tissues, especially the cardiovascular system.1 Fluoride can rapidly
cross certain cell membranes and is distributed in skeletal and cardiac muscle,
liver, skin, and erythrocytes.2-4 High concentration of fluoride are noxious in the
environment, affecting the health of humans and animals.5 Volcanic regions are
usually rich in fluoride, and chronic fluorosis is often present in such areas.6,7
Because many parts of East Anatolia, Turkey, are covered with volcanic ash,
some trace elements are scarce, and some are abundant, such as fluoride, in the
drinking water, soil, and flora.6,8 As a result, endemic fluorosis has been known
for many years in this region. The level of fluoride in the available drinking water
ranges from 5.7 to 15.2 ppm.6,8 This high level especially affects dairy cows.7
Thyroid dysfunction, stunted growth, and low milk production have been
reported in livestock with fluorosis,6 but this finding is disputed.7
The effects of chronic fluorosis on different mechanisms have been exam-
ined,1,2,9-13 but the effect of fluoride on thyroid hormones and protein bound
iodine has had limited study in cows, and the findings are not in agreement.6,7 In
this study, we report results of our examination of the effects of chronic fluorosis
on thyroid hormones and protein bound iodine in fluorotic cows.
a
aFor correspondence: Ali Cinar, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Yuzuncu Yil University, Van 65080, Turkey. E-mail: alicinar25@mynet.com
bDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education, University of Yuzuncu Yil,
65080, Van, Turkey
66 Cinar, Selcuk
Fluoride 2005;38(1)
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty cows above 3 years of age (20 fluorotic and 10 healthy) were included in
this study. The 20 cows with chronic fluorosis were obtained from the Tendurek
Mountain region (altitude about 2000 m) in East Anatolia. All animals with fluo-
rosis were living in and around Tendurek Mountain (Van-AğrΙ, Turkey). Chronic
fluorosis was diagnosed after clinical examination of the cows.9,14 The ten
healthy cows used as the control group were obtained from our own Van region
(altitude 1700 m). Blood serum levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA)15,16. The level of PBI was mea-
sured spectrophotometrically.8 Statistical analyses were performed by Student’s t
test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In this study, the serum levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and pro-
tein-bound iodine (PBI) in the control cows were in the normal range of healthy
cows, but they were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the fluorotic cows (Table).
These findings are consistent with the results of research with sheep,8 calves,15
cattle,16 and rats.18 In sheep with chronic fluorosis, a significant decrease in the
levels of protein-bound iodine, and an increase in fluoride in blood were reported
by Bildik.8 Shivashankara et al17 found reduced serum potassium and urea in
children with chronic fluorosis. In another study,18 rats with chronic fluorosis had
decreases in T3 and T4 hormones released from thyroid gland. On the other hand,
Choubisa7 reported that none of a group of fluorotic domestic animals exhibited
any apparent evidence of hypothyroidism, stunted growth, low milk production,
or correlation between gender and the prevalence of fluorosis, but the prevalence
Tab l e. Serum levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and protein-bound
iodine in control (healthy) and fluorotic cattle (mean±SD)
Thyroxine (T4)
µg/dL
Triiodothyronine
(T3) ng/mL
Iodine (PBI)
µg/dL
Control cattle (n = 10) 5.7±0.48a1.53±0.038a3.8±0.29a
Fluorotic cattle (n = 20) 3.7±0.45b0.97±0.051b2.6±0.23b
Standard normal values
and ranges15,16
6.22
4.2 – 8.6
1.6
1.4 – 4.0
3.53
2.7 – 4.1
a,bMeans in the same column with different superscripts differ significantly,
(p<0.05).
Effects of chronic fluorosis on thyroid hormones in cows 67
Fluoride 2005;38(1)
and severity of skeletal fluorosis increased with increasing fluoride exposure and
age.
By contrast, chronic fluoride poisoning in Cornwall Island cattle on the St.
Lawrence River was manifested clinically by stunted growth and dental fluorosis
to a degree of severe interference with drinking and mastication, so that the cows
died at or had to be slaughtered after the third pregnancy.19 In fluorosed dairy
cows studied by Hillman et al,13 urinary fluoride and eosinophilia increased, as
did thyroid depression and blood cholesterol. The results of the present study are
therefore similar to findings in the literature.13,15,18 A decrease in PBI, T3, and T4
levels in the blood is known to be associated with a decrease in the rate of metab-
olism by as much as 30 to 40% in cases of hypothyroidism.20
As Guan et al18 have shown, chronic fluoride intoxication can cause severe
morphological and functional changes in the thyroid gland of the rat. In our view,
the reason for decreased levels of T4, T3, and PBI in our cows with chronic fluo-
rosis might be due to: 1) inhibition of the absorption of the iodine and some
amino acids (e.g., tyrosine) in the gastrointestinal tract, 2) insufficient synthesis
and secretion of thyroglobulin and oxidized iodides from the thyroid glands, 3)
low levels of bioavailable iodine in the Tendurek Mountain region.
REFERENCES
1 Xu RY, Xu RQ. Electrocardiogram analysis of patients with skeletal fluorosis. Fluoride
1997;30:16-8.
2 Carlson CH, Armstrong WD, Singer L. Distribution and excretion of radiofluoride in the human.
Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1960;104:235-9.
3 Jacyszyn K, Marut A. Fluoride in blood and urine in humans administered fluoride and exposed to
fluoride-polluted air. Fluoride 1986;19(1):26-32.
4 Suska M. Energy metabolism of erythrocytes in lambs chronically exposed to fluorine compounds.
Acta Vet Brno 2002;71:313-7.
5 Li J, Cao S. Recent studies on endemic fluorosis in China. Fluoride 1994;27(3):125-8.
6 Ergun HS, Russel-Sinn H, Baysu N, Dündar Y. Studies on the fluoride contents in water and soil,
urine, bone and teeth of sheep and urine of humans from eastern and western parts of Turkey. DTW
Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr 1987;94:416-20.
7Choubisa SL. Some observations on endemic fluorosis in domestic animals in Southern Rajasthan
(India). Vet Res Commun 1999;23(7):457-65.
8 Bildik A, Camas H. The research of the some specific liver enzyme activities and PBI values in the
blood serums of sheep with fluorosis. Kafkas Univ Fen Bil Derg 1996;1:16-23.
9 Underwood EJ. Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. 4th ed. New York: Academic Press
Inc; 1977. p. 347-63.
10 Wang YN, Xiao KQ, Liu JL, Dallner G, Guan ZZ. Effect of long term fluoride exposure on lipid
composition in rat liver. Toxicology 2000;146(2-3):161-9.
11 Gaugl JF, Wooldridge B. Cardiopulmonary response to sodium fluoride infusion in the dog. J Toxi-
col Environ Health 1983;11(4-6):765-82.
12 Henriksen PA, Lutwalk L, Krook L, Kallfelz F, Sheffy BE, Skogerboe R, et al. Fluoride and nutri-
tional osteoporosis. Fluoride 1970;3(4):204-7.
13 Hillman D, Bolenbaugh DL, Convey EM. Hypothyroidism and anemia related to fluoride in dairy
cattle. J Dairy Sci 1979;63(3):416-23.
14 Shupe JL, Olson AE, Sharma RP. Fluoride toxicity in domestic and wild animals. Clin Toxi-
col.1972;5(2):195-213.
68 Cinar, Selcuk
Fluoride 2005;38(1)
15 Cinar A, Sulu N.The effects of monensin on blood glucose, insulin, triiodothyronine and thyroxin
levels and live weights of Holstein calves. In: Proceedings of the XXIVth Annual Meeting of the
European Society for New Methods in Agricultural Research (ESNA); 1994 Sept 12-16; Varna,
Bulgaria. p. 32.
16 Mert N. Veterinary Clinical Biochemistry. Uludağ Üniversitesi Güçlendirme VakfΙ Yay ΙnΙ, Ceylan
MatbaacΙlΙk Ltd.; 1997.
17 Shivashankara AR, Shivarajashankara YM, Rao SH, Bhat GP. A clinical and biochemical study of
chronic fluoride toxicity in children of Kheru Thanda of Gulbarga District, Karnataka, India. Fluo-
ride 2000;33:66-73.
18 Guan ZZ, Zhuang ZJ, Yang PS, Pan S. Synergistic action of iodine-deficiency and fluorine-intoxi-
cation on rat thyroid. Chin Med J (Engl) 1988;101(9):679-84.
19 Krook L, Maylin GA. Industrial fluoride pollution: chronic fluoride poisoning in Cornwall Island
cattle. Cornell Vet. 1979;69 Suppl 8:S1-70.
20 Guyton AC. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 8th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company;
1991.
Published by the International Society for Fluoride Research
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~spittle/fluoride-journal.htm
Editorial Office: 727 Brighton Road, Ocean View, Dunedin 9051, New Zealand

Supplementary resource (1)

38165-68 Fluoride troit
Data
June 2017
Ali Çınar · Muzaffer Selcuk · Van Turkey
... Throughout the world, fluorosis is a serious health issue that affects humans and animals. [1][2][3][4] Billions of people are impacted by fluoride exposure. In India, 20 million people have severe cases of the condition and 40 million are at risk of getting endemic fluorosis. ...
Fluoride Toxicity In Domestic Animals Of Chandrapur District, Maharashtra, India
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2022
A cross-sectional survey was carried out to evaluate the hazardous effects of fluoride on domestic animals in the fluoride-polluted areas of Chandrapur district in Maharashtra, India. Domestic animals, including buffalos, cattle, and goats from seven villages in the Warora tehsil, were the subjects of the current study. The animals showed signs of dental fluorosis to varying degrees, with subsurface water fluoride levels ranging from 0.53 to 5 mg/L. The elevated fluoride concentration functions as a potential pollutant.1966 of the 5176 animals examined for dental fluorosis with varied degrees of the condition in the cattle (34.3%), buffalo (46.37%), and goats (42.69%), respectively. It was determined that the prevalence of dental fluorosis was extremely significant (P<0.05). Environmental toxins and contaminants that causes several metabolic problems and also influence blood hence to evaluate the effects of fluoride toxicity on haematological parameters the present study was conducted. High fluoride concentrations were found in serum samples from buffalo, cattle, and goats, in contrast to their respective controls. Haematological analyses of naturally fluoridated animals showed a significant decline in haemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and leukocyte count, all indicators of fluoride-induced anaemia. According to the differential leukocyte count, animals from fluoride-polluted areas had significantly greater lymphocyte percentages and lower neutrophil percentages than those from non-contaminated areas. There are significant differences between the mean values of haematological parameters in animals of fluoride polluted and nonpolluted localities. The current study's conclusions will undoubtedly aid in addressing potential operating procedures for health problems related to fluorosis in domestic animals in the study area.
View
... Another reason why non-verbal skills may be more vulnerable to prenatal fluoride exposure may relate to the mechanism of fluoride neurotoxicity. There is evidence from animal (Bobek et al., 1976;Cinar & Selcuk, 2005;Wang et al., 2009) and human studies (Chaitanya et al., 2018) that disruption to thyroid function may be involved. Thyroid hormones play an important role in brain development (Bernal et al., 2005), especially during early fetal development when the fetus is entirely dependent on maternal thyroid hormone but also from mid-gestation until birth when the fetus is partially dependent on maternal thyroid hormone (Morreale de Escobar, 2001;Thorpe-Beeston et al., 1991). ...
Domain-specific effects of prenatal fluoride exposure on child IQ at 4, 5, and 6–12 years in the ELEMENT cohort
Article
  • Mar 2022
  • ENVIRON RES
Objective Prenatal exposure to fluoride has been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the neuropsychological profile of fluoride's developmental neurotoxicity at low levels and the stability of this relationship across childhood has not been characterized. We investigated the longitudinal and domain specific effect of prenatal fluoride exposure on IQ among children ages 4, 5, and 6–12 years in the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohort. Methods We measured the average of maternal urinary fluoride at each trimester of pregnancy adjusted for creatinine (MUFCRE). Children were administered the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities at ages 4 (N = 386) and 5 (N = 308), and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence at age 6–12 (N = 278). We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to estimate the population averaged effect of MUFCRE concentration on longitudinal General Cognitive Index (GCI)/Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal IQ (VIQ), and Performance IQ (PIQ) scores (N = 348). We tested for possible interactions between MUFCRE and child sex as well as for MUFCRE and time point on children's IQ. All models controlled for relevant available covariates. Results The mean/median MUFCRE concentration was 0.90/0.83 mg/L (SD = 0.39; IQR, 0.64–1.11 mg/L). A 0.5 mg/L increase in MUFCRE predicted an average 2.12-point decrease in GCI/FSIQ (95% CI: −3.49, −0.75) and 2.63-point decrease in PIQ (95% CI: −3.87, −1.40). MUFCRE was marginally associated with VIQ across time (B = −1.29, 95% CI: −2.60, 0.01). No interactions between MUFCRE and child sex or MUFCRE and time were observed. Conclusion The negative association between prenatal fluoride exposure and longitudinal IQ was driven by decrements in non-verbal intelligence (i.e. PIQ), suggesting that visual-spatial and perceptual reasoning abilities may be more impacted by prenatal fluoride exposure as compared to verbal abilities.
View
... A report obtained from animal experiments shows that fluoride ingestion can affect the brain and antioxidant defense system [142]. The toxicity of fluoride to cattle has been reported to include a thyrotoxic effect on chronic fluorosis and disruption of the secretion of thyroxin hormones in mammalian cells [143][144][145]. Excessive fluoride affects more aquatic animals living in soft water than those living in hard water. ...
Bioaccumulation of Fluoride in Plants and Its Microbially Assisted Remediation: A Review of Biological Processes and Technological Performance
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2021
Fluoride is widely found in soil-water systems due to anthropogenic and geogenic activities that affect millions worldwide. Fluoride ingestion results in chronic and acute toxicity, including skeletal and dental fluorosis, neurological damage, and bone softening in humans. Therefore, this review paper summarizes biological processes for fluoride remediation, i.e., bioaccumulation in plants and microbially assisted systems. Bioremediation approaches for fluoride removal have recently gained prominence in removing fluoride ions. Plants are vulnerable to fluoride accumulation in soil, and their growth and development can be negatively affected, even with low fluoride content in the soil. The microbial bioremediation processes involve bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biosorption. Bacterial, fungal, and algal biomass are ecologically efficient bioremediators. Most bioremediation techniques are laboratory-scale based on contaminated solutions; however, treatment of fluoride-contaminated wastewater at an industrial scale is yet to be investigated. Therefore, this review recommends the practical applicability and sustainability of microbial bioremediation of fluoride in different environments.
View
... There are studies conducted on hormones (Cinar and Selcuk, 2005;Comba and Cinar, 2016), electrocardiogram (Kilicalp at al;) under exposure to NaF, however no study was performed on erythrocyte osmotic fragility and parameters under concomitant exposure to fluoride and DMBA in the long term. This study aims to assess erythrocyte osmotic fragility and parameters (erythrocyte count, haemoglobin content, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, distribution frequency of erythrocytes) in wistar albino rats exposed to DMBA, different concentrations of fluoride and concomitant administration of these two chemicals. ...
HOW LONG-TERM INTAKE OF SODIUM FLUORIDE (NAF) IN DIFFERENT DOSES AND 7,12 DIMETHYLBENZ(A)ANHTRACENE (DMBA) AFFECT THE ERYTHROCYTE PARAMETERS IN RATS?
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2019
This study was aimed to search the effect of Sodium Fluoride (NaF) and 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) to erythrocyte fragility and parameters in rats. The nine groups were formed and each group contained 8 animals. Group 1: Control group (without any treatment). Group 2: Sesame oil (vehicle for DMBA). Group 3: 1 ppm NaF. Group 4: 15 ppm NaF. Group 5: 30 ppm NaF. Group 6: DMBA.Group 7: 1 ppm NaF + DMBA. Group 8: 15 ppm NaF + DMBA. Group 9: 30 ppm NaF + DMBA. Fluoride was added into the animals' drinking water in the form of NaF once a day, for 12 weeks. DMBA (10 mg/kg) was administered once a week and in a total of 12 weeks with oral gavage. Erythrocyte fragility was analyzed with osmotic hemolysis method and erythrocyte parameters with blood cell counter in whole blood. At 0.4% NaCl concentration groups 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 showed significantly higher erythrocyte fragility values than control group (p≤0.05). At 0.5% NaCl concentration, groups 6, 8 and 9 showed significant increase in erythrocyte fragility compared to other groups (p≤0.05). The erythrocyte and hematocrit values were found significantly high in group 5 (p≤0.001) and group 4 (p≤0.01) while it was found low in all groups with DMBA (6, 7, 8, 9) (p≤0.05) compared to control group. Hemoglobin amount in group 5(p≤0.01) and group 4 (p≤0.05) were significantly higher than other groups. MCV and MCH in group 5 were significantly lower and these values in all groups with DMBA (6, 7, 8, 9) were determined significantly high compared to other groups. RDWC in group 5 (p≤0.001) and group 4 (p≤0.01) and in all groups with DMBA (6, 7, 8, 9) (p≤0.05) was significantly increased compared to other groups. As a result, exposure to high doses of floride and DMBA may cause augmented erythrocyte fragility, abnormal erythrocyte parameters and anemia. Therefore, measures must be taken to protect the health of all living organisms in area exposed to high levels of fluoride and DMBA.
View
... Uzun süre yüksek dozda flora maruz kalınması ile insan ve hayvanlarda florozis denilen toksikasyon oluşur (3)(4)(5)(6). Floroziste başta diş ve kemik olmak üzere pek çok dokuda hasar olur. Flor büyük çoğunlukla böbrek yoluyla vücuttan atılır Florun kronik toksik etkisi, sert dokularda, iskeletsel floroz ve dental floroz olarak görülür (7,8). ...
View
... Fluoride disturbs the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone, interferes with the activity of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of thyroxin into the active thyroid hormone leading to perturbation of circulating thyroid hormone. (7) Relative to the amount of fluoride ingested, high concentration of cations that form insoluble complexes with fluoride (e.g., calcium, magnesium) can markedly decrease gastrointestinal fluoride absorption. (8) Fluoride can alter calcium homeostasis in human population and calcium also plays an important role in a wide range of cellular alternations induced by fluoride. ...
Effect Of Sodium Fluoride On The Thyroid Follicular Cells And The Amelioration By Calcium Supplementation In Albino Rats: A Light And An Electron Microscopic Study
Article
  • Jan 2013
Sodium fluoride was the first fluoride compound used in the fluoridation of drinking water and it is still commonly used for that purpose to prevent dental caries. It exerts toxic effects on many soft tissues and organs. The thyroid gland has a strong capacity for absorbing and accumulating fluoride. Objective: The present work aimed to study the histological and ultrastructural effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the thyroid follicular cells and the amelioration by calcium supplementation in albino rats. Materials and methods: Four groups of adult albino rats were used for this study. The 1 st and 2 nd groups were used as control. The 3 rd group was treated with NaF in a dose of 10mg/kg bw/day orally by gavage once daily for 35 days. The 4 th group was treated with NaF in the same dose for the same period followed by calcium chloride in a dose of 20mg/kg bw/day once daily for 35 days. The animals were anaesthetized and specimens from the thyroid gland were obtained and processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Results: The NaF had adverse effects on the follicular cells of the thyroid gland in NaF-treated group in comparison with that of the control groups where the follicular epithelium appeared with reduced cell height and the follicles had low colloid content. The basal membrane was ill defined. Colloid droplets appeared in the apical and basal parts of the cytoplasm. Overall cytoplasmic disorganization was observed with scattered stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum and loss of mitochondria. The apical border showed pseudopods directed into the colloidal lumen. The nucleus appeared irregular, heterochromatic with deformed nuclear membrane. Co-administration of calcium to NaF-treated rats ameliorated the adverse effect of NaF. The follicular epithelium increased in height and most of the follicles contained colloid. The follicular cell regained some of its normal characteristic features with intact basal lamina. The cytoplasm showed rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and small apical vesicles. The nucleus appeared regular in shape and euchromatic with well-formed nuclear membrane and prominent nucleoli. Conclusion: Calcium supplementation can ameliorate the adverse effects of NaF on thyroid follicular cells in people at risk of high exposure.
View
... 3,4 Fluoride not only accumulates in the bones and teeth but also gets deposited in the soft tissues. 5 The level of fluoride, considered safe for humans is 1-1.5 mg/L while, prolonged ingestion is associated with dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis and several other disorders due to its ability to inhibit the proliferation of cells. It should be noted, however, that whileMicromolar Fluoride ion concentrations promote the growth and proliferation of cells, millimolar concentrations suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in the hard tissues. ...
View
Screening, molecular identification, and evaluation of the nutrient mobilization potential of Fluoride Resistant Bacterial isolates from fluoride-rich rice field: A case from West Bengal, India
Preprint
Full-text available
  • Feb 2025
Fluoride (F⁻) toxicity has become a significant environmental and public health concern globally. Microbial defluoridation offers a promising approach to restoring soil health, increasing crop yields, and minimizing fluoride bioaccumulation in the food chain. In the present experiment, seven bacteria with varied levels of fluoride resistance were screened out in vitro using tryptone soya agar medium supplemented with different grades of Sodium Fluoride (NaF) from the composite topsoil (0–0.2 m depth) of fluoride-rich rice fields of three blocks (Arsha, Jhalda-I, and Joypur) of the Purulia district, West Bengal, India. Using NCBI- BLAST and 16S rDNA barcode sequence-based molecular phylogeny, the seven isolates were identified as Aeromonas aquatica strain KPNA_FR1 (GenBank Acc. PP957426), Bacillus pumilus strain KPNA_FR2 (GenBank Acc. PP948725), Enterobacter sp. Strain KPNA_FR3 (GenBank Acc. PP948726), Enterobacter ludwigii strain KPNA_FR4 (GenBank Acc. PP948727), Priestia aryabhattai strain KPNA_FR5 (GenBank Acc. PP948728) Enterobacter sp. strain KPNA_FR6 (GenBank Acc. PP948729), Bacillus pumilus strain and KPNA_FR7 (GenBank Acc. PP948730). Out of these seven isolates, the most Fluoride tolerant bacterium Enterobacter ludwigii strain KPNA_FR4 can tolerate a maximum of 11,250 ppm NaF in vitro and exhibited ~ 78% defluoridation capacity from medium. The plant growth-promoting efficiency of KPNA_FR4 including other isolates concerning the solubilzation of phosphate (123.67 ± 13.41 ppm), potassium (2.49 ± 0.10 ppm) and zinc (50.80 ± 5.38 ppm) have also been reported. Thus, the isolated fluoride-resistant bacteria, having significant potential as fluoride bioremediator and biofertilizers, may be used to mitigate soil fluoride toxicity sustainably and to increase agricultural productivity as well.
View
Effect of Fluoride-Contaminated Water on the Living Being and Their Surroundings
Chapter
Full-text available
  • Jan 2024
Living beings are affected by fluoride (present in soil, water, and air). In the halogen family, fluorine is a naturally abundant element. It has no biological purpose and is exceedingly harmful to humans, animals, and the environment when it is present in large amounts. Fluorine is an extremely reactive element that does not exist in nature in its pure form. It is found as fluoride ion (F−), which makes up approximately 0.3 g/kg of the Earth’s crust. Its pollution has a significant negative impact on 200 million people in 29 nations, including India. It is released into the soil naturally by the breakdown of minerals such as apatite, fluorspar, topaz, and mica. It is transferred to crops, vegetables, and fruits during irrigation using fluoride-contaminated water. This bioaccumulation increases the risk to the population already affected by fluoride poisoning since it adds more fluoride to the food chain in addition to the route through drinking water. Emphasis must be placed on educating people about fluorosis and limiting their use of fluoride-contaminated irrigation water. High levels of F− may have a negative impact on human health over time by reducing thyroid function, allowing kidney stones to form, causing bone fractures, skeletal fluorosis, dental fluorosis, and impairment of IQ, especially in young children. In this chapter, we focus on the effects of F− in the living beings through the water.
View
Skeletal Fluorosis: A Case of Inhalant Abuse Leading to a Diagnosis of Colon Cancer
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2022
Skeletal fluorosis is a long-term bone disease that develops when prolonged fluoride toxicity leads to osteosclerosis and bone deformities that result in crippling pain and debility. The disease is endemic to many countries due to environmental or industrial exposures. However, rare cases in the United States have been reported from various causes including heavy toothpaste ingestion, excessive tea consumption, voriconazole use, and inhalant abuse. Here, we present a case of a 41-yearold man who presented for weight loss and severe joint pains due to bony sclerotic lesions found on X-rays. Social history revealed that he had been recreationally inhaling compressed air dusters used for cleaning electronics. Owing to concern for malignancy, he underwent an extensive work-up which led to a diagnosis of colon cancer, but positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and bone biopsy were unexpectedly negative for metastatic bone disease. Further characterization of his lesions by skeletal survey led to a diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis secondary to inhalant abuse. As in this patient, the disease can be difficult for clinicians to recognize as it can be mistaken for various boney diseases such as metastatic cancer. However, once there is clinical suspicion for skeletal fluorosis, various tests to help confirm the diagnosis can include serum and urine fluoride levels, skeletal survey, and bone ash fluoride concentration. Treatment of skeletal fluorosis primarily involves cessation of fluoride exposure, and recovery can take years. Ultimately, further study is required to develop recommendations and guidelines for diagnosis, management, and prognosis of the disease in the United States.
View
Energy Metabolism of Erythrocytes in Lambs Chronically Exposed to Fluorine Compounds
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2002
Suska M.: Energy Metabolism of Erythrocytes in Lambs Chronically Exposed to Fluorine Compounds.Acta Vet. Brno 2002, 71: 313-317. Studies were performed to test the effect of environmental fluorine compounds on the energy metabolism of erythrocytes in lambs (Merino × Kent). The concentration of fluorine in serum, ATP, ADP and AMP content in blood and erythrocytes, adenine nucleotide pool (TAN) and adenylate energy charge (AEC) of erythrocytes were determined. A significant decrease in ATP concentration and a significant increase in ADP concentration (p ≤ 0.05) were observed compared to control group. The exposure of lambs to environmental fluorine compounds also caused a significant increase in the content of fluorine in serum. Moreover, a negative linear correlation (r = -0.836) between the erythrocyte ATP concentration and the serum fluorine ion concentration was found. AEC level also correlated linearly (r ≤ -0.949) with the concentration of fluorine ions in serum. These observations suggest that exposure of lambs to environmental fluorine compounds resulted in impaired energy metabolism of their erythrocytes. Adenine nucleotides, adenine nucleotide pool, adenylate energy charge, fluorine, blood
View
A clinical and biochemical study of chronic fluoride toxicity in children of Kheru Thanda of Gulbarga district, Karnataka, India
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2000
  • Fluoride
The prevalence of dental and skeletal fluorosis was determined among children of Kheru Nayak Thanda of Gulbarga district, where the fluoride concentration in drinking water ranges from 0.6 to 13.4 ppm and the water has low levels of copper and zinc. These children were investigated clinically, radiologically and biochemically. The study revealed that 96% of the children had dental fluorosis and 39% exhibited skeletal fluorosis. Serum samples of these children showed elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and decreased levels of total protein, albumin, and potassium. Radiographic changes suggestive of osteoporosis, osteosclerosis, and genu valgum was observed.
View
Fluoride in blood and urine in humans administered fluoride and exposed to fluoride-polluted air
Article
  • Jan 1986
Distribution of fluoride in human blood and urine was determined spectrophotometrically by using color complex of zircronium-eriochromcyanine lake. In healthy controls, the toatl mean fluoride concentration in blood serum was 11.2 μmol; the daily urinary fluoride, 1.83 mg. According to the present method, the fluoride concentration connected with serum protein was 10.15 μmol/l; nonprotein fluoride, 1.05 μmol/l. Fluoride increased in blood serum and in urine of workers professionally exposed to it, 16.69 μmol/l and 3.574 mg respectively. The mean fluoride concentration in erythrocytes of controls is about 6 times higher (59.97 μmol/l) than that in blood serum (11.2 μmol/l).
View
View
View
Electrocardiogram analysis of patients with skeletal fluorosis
Article
  • Feb 1997
: To investigate the degree of myocardial damage resulting from endemic fluorosis, electrocardiograms of 136 skeletal fluorosis patients from an endemic fluorosis area were compared with electrocardiograms of a control group of 40 normal patients from a non-endemic fluorosis area. The results show that fluoride in drinking water consumed over time is harmful not only to bones and teeth but also to the cardiovascular system, and confirm the urgent need to lower the fluoride content of drinking water in endemic fluorosis areas.
View
View
View
Hypothyroidism and Anemia Related to Fluoride in Dairy Cattle
Article
  • Apr 1979
Blood and urine were collected from 72 cows in six dairy herds with varying severity of dental and bone fluorotic lesions. Urinary fluoride averaged 5.13 ppm and ranged from 1.04 to 15.7 ppm fluoride. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine in serum decreased with increasing urinary fluoride, eosinophils increased, and cholesterol tended to decrease. Cattle afflicted with fluorosis developed hypothyroidism, anemia, and eosinophilia of leukocytes. Bone ash averaged 2400 ppm fluoride in 22 specimens from eight herds (range 850 to 6935 ppm fluoride). Mineral supplements were the main sources of excess fluoride. Fluoride lesions were on some cows of all herds suggesting that fluoride may affect the health and performance of some cows in "normal" herds. Fluoride lesions were on young cattle and calves in fluorosis herds.
View
Industrial fluoride pollution: Chronic fluoride poisoning in Cornwall Island cattle
Article
  • May 1979
An aluminum plant on the south bank of the St. Lawrence river, southwest of Cornwall Island, Ontario, Canada, has emitted 0.816 metric tons of fluoride daily since 1973; considerably higher amounts were emitted from 1959 to 1973. The plant has been designated as the "major source of fluoride emissions impacting on Cornwall Island." Chronic fluoride poisoning in Cornwall island cattle was manifested clinically by stunted growth and dental fluorosis to a degree of severe interference with drinking and mastication. Cows died at or were slaughtered after the third pregnancy. The deterioration of cows did not allow further pregnancies. Fluoride concentrations in ash of biopsied coccygeal vertebrae increased significantly with age and were dependent on distance from and direction to the aluminum plant. Fluoride in bone ash of a 7-month old-fetus exceeded 500 ppm; fluoride thus was passed transplacentally. Analyses of fluoride in ash of bones obtained at necropsy of cattle from 4 months of age to 4 to 5 years of age showed increased amounts with age. Cancellous bone retained far higher amounts than cortical bone, a reflection of the normally higher metabolic rate of cancellous bone. Concentrations exceeding 10,000 ppm fluoride were recorded in cancellous bone of a 4-to 5-year-old cow. The target cells for fluoride in chronic fluorosis were shown to be the ameloblasts, the dental pulp cells and the odontoblasts and, in bone, primarily the resorbing osteocytes and also the osteoblasts. Atrophy and necrosis of the ameloblasts were responsible for enamel defects. The existing enamel showed brown discoloration from fluoride deposits. The pulp cells underwent fibrous and osseous metaplasia and necrosis of the ectopic bone occurred. The odontoblasts were atrophic and the dentin showed brown discoloration. The resorbing osteocytes were inactive and osteosclerosis resulted. This was especially pronounced in areas of normally great apposition, i.e. in the metaphyses. The epiphyseal plate became squeezed between petrotic bone and growth was stunted. Resorption of alveolar bone surrounding the deciduous teeth was severely retarded or arrested. A delay in eruption of permanent teeth occurred; it was up to 3.5 years in incisor teeth. Interference with the resorbing osteocytes in fluorotic bone was also demonstrated by loss of collagen birefringency in such bone. Failure of bone resorption also caused retention of trabecular bone in the cortices; this was observed even in a 4-t0-5-year-old cow. In areas where modeling into osteonic bone had begun, fluoride deposits were extremely heavy but this bone showed numerous soft osteons in microradiographs. The toxic effect of fluoride on osteocytes also resulted in the death of the cells. Such osteonecrosis occurred mainly in gnathic bone. There was atrophy of the osteoblasts. Osteopenia thus resulted from osteonecrosis and osteoporosis. Subperiosteal exostoses were not observed in long bones. The degree of fluorosis in Cornwall Island cattle was severe...
View