Effects of arsenic or/and fluoride on mineralized tissues of the rat

Nuclear proton microprobe and histomorphometry were employed to study arsenic and fluoride distribution and effects on the mineralized tissues (teeth and bone) of rats. The results revealed that 1) fluoride (100 mg/L for 10 weeks) caused typical dental and skeletal fluorosis in rats, similar to those seen in humans; 2) no obvious effects of arsenic (30 mg/L for 10 weeks) on the mineralized tissues in rats were observed; 3) arsenic and fluoride in combination reduced the body weight of the rats significantly, presenting a synergistic effect; 4) arsenic insignificantly reduced fluoride depositions in the mineralized tissues; 5) no significant effects of arsenic were found on fluoride toxicity to the mineralized tissues in rats.