SHASHI, A, S. NEETIKA AND M. BHARDWAJ
Abstract
This study reports neurocytochemical effect of fluoride on DNA damage and apoptosis in brain of rats exposed to 30, 45 and 75 mg NaF /kg bw/day for 35 days. There was accumulation of RNA in central region of cerebral cortex whereas DNA localized in outer regions. The molecular layer cells of cerebellum showed marked decline in DNA and RNA concentration, but the granular layer cells did not show much variation in the amount of nucleic acid in the different neurones, most of the Purkinje neurones exhibit apoptosis in brain of rats treated with 45 mg NaF/kg bw/day. The level of DNA was decreased in Purkinje neurones as well as in hypertrophied neurones of granular layer in experimental rats given 75 mg NaF/kg bw/day. A decline in the phospholipid content in the cerebral cortex glial cells was observed in rats intoxicated with 30 mg NaF. In rats treated with 45 mg NaF/kg bw /day for 35 days, the phospholipids content in all cellular parts of glial cells of cerebral cortex was increased. The darkly stained phospholipids granules were clearly visible. A further increase in the concentration of brain phospholipids was noted in rats treated with 75 mg NaF/kg bw /day.