FLUORIDE INDUCES APOPTOSIS IN MC3T3-E1 OSTEOBLASTS BY ALTERING ROS LEVELS AND MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANE POTENTIALS.

This research investigated the relationship between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potentials, and apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts (OB) by administering varying concentrations of the fluoride ion. Sodium fluoride (NaF), at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, and 30 mg/L, was administered to cultured OB. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining were used to observe the effects of fluoride on OB apoptosis. In addition, the ROS levels and the mitochondrial membrane potentials of the OB were analyzed with a Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) using labeling probes DCFH-DA and JC-1 after fluoride treatment for 72 hr. There were pronounced negative effects on OB survival from long-term NaF treatment. These negative effects included apoptosis, increased ROS levels, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potentials. Our results demonstrated that fluoride-induced OB apoptosis is mediated by the direct effects of fluoride on ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]