Abstract

Fluoride is an essential element for the normal development and growth of human beings.  The main source of fluoride for humans is the intake of groundwater.  At high levels, fluoride causes dental and skeletal fluorosis. In this study, control and sodium fluoride (NaF) treated groups of rats had significant (p < 0.05) higher collagen in the kidneys followed by lungs and liver.  5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight of NaF caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the collagen content of kidneys, lungs and liver.  Lungs had significant (p < 0.001) higher collagen content in magnesium (MgCl₂) treated group, followed by kidneys and liver.  Pretreatment with MgCl₂ caused an increase in the collagen content of lungs and liver but not the kidneys. Though, MgCl₂has been reported to be protective against NaF, it exerts an independent effect on the collagen content of tissues.

Key words: Collagen, sodium fluoride, magnesium chloride, rats.