OXIDATIVE STRESS INDICES IN ERYTHROCYTES, LIVER, AND KIDNEYS OF FLUORIDE-EXPOSED RABBITS

Changes in oxidative stress indices in soft tissues of rabbits following exposure to fluoride (F) in their drinking water were studied. Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits, 6-8 weeks old weighing 600-800 g, were divided into four equal groups and given drinking water containing 50, 100, 200, and 0 (control) mg NaF/L ad libitum for 90 days. The level of lipid peroxides (LPO) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were monitored in erythrocytes before the start of the experiment (day 0) and thereafter on day 45 and day 90, and in liver and kidney tissues on day 90 after sacrifice of the animals. The LPO level increased, and SOD and CAT activities decreased by day 45 in rabbits receiving the F-enriched water. These changes were more pronounced in the two higher IF groups of rabbits. Significant (P<0.05) increase in the LPO level in both liver and kidney tissues and decrease in SOD and CAT activities, particularly in kidneys, were observed. These results indicate that oxidative stress appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of IF intoxication.