The objective of this study was to investigate some changes of rat joint cartilage layers after administration of various concentrations of sodium fluoride in the drinking water. Four weeks old, fouty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into...
The objective of this study was to investigate some changes of rat joint cartilage layers after administration of various concentrations of sodium fluoride in the drinking water. Four weeks old, fouty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The control group was given tap water and other three experimental groups were supplied with 1, 10 and 100 ppm fluoridated water ad libitum. The rats were sacrificed at three and six weeks experimental day. Thickness of resting, proliferation and maturation layers were measured with light micoscope using eyepiece reticule and stage micrometer. Increases in thickness of the maturation layers of joint cartilage were noted in rats given 10 and 100 ppm sodium fluoride in drinking water. The observed thickening was attributable to increase in number and size of cells of the maturation layer. A relationship between fluoride dose and the degree of thickening of maturation layer was proposed. It is possible to suggest that the fluoride may be related to stimulation of chondrocyte growth or inhibition of calcification of the cartilage matrix.