Additional beneficial effect of tamarind ingestion over defluoridated water supply to adolescent boys in a fluorotic area

Microsecond simulation analysis of carbonic anhydrase - II in complex with (+)-cathechin revealed molecular interactions responsible for its amelioration effect on fluoride toxicity

Fluorosis is a chronic condition caused by overexposure to fluoride, marked by impaired dental, skeletal, and non-skeletal health. In presence of excess fluoride ions, in severe cases calcification of the ligaments observed. Earlier studies have suggested that the disruption of carbonic anhydrase activity via ionic homeostasis change was associated with F toxicity. In a recent study, it was demonstrated that Tamarind fruit extract was effective in increasing the urinary F excretion in male Wistar rats via studying the mRNA expression of carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) in kidney homogenates using western blotting, immunohistochemistry and quantitative Realtime PCR based studies. We have carried out this study to understand the detailed molecular level interactions responsible for this tamarind extract based (+)-cathechin compound towards lowering the F toxicity via targeting CA-II. From our study, it was revealed that due to the ability of (+)-cathechin compound to bind tightly filling complete available space at the catalytically important site forming metal coordinated ionic bonds with His94, His96 and His119 residues helps in restricting F ions to interact with Zn ion located at the core of catalytic site responsible for its functionality. On the other hand, interaction of (+)-cathechin compound with Gln92 was observed to be critically important towards inducing conformational changes in CA-II, thus allowing (+)-cathechin compound to burry even deeply inside the catalytic site.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Enamel remineralization and repair results of Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite toothpaste on deciduous teeth: an effective option to fluoride toothpaste

Background

Dental caries is a recognized worldwide public health problem. Despite being one of the most effective strategies against dental caries, the excessive use of fluorine may result in a potential risk of developing dental fluorosis especially in children under age of six. The purpose of this work is to analyze a fluorine-free toothpaste containing Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite to assess enamel re-mineralizing and repairing properties.

Results

The study was performed in vitro and in vivo, comparing the hydroxyapatite toothpaste with two others toothpaste containing different fluorine concentrations. The coating effect of the micro-structured Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles reintegrates the enamel with a biomimetic film reproducing the structure and the morphology of the biologic Hydroxyapatite of the enamel. As demonstrated, the coating is due to the deposit of a new layer of apatite, which presents fewer particles than the natural enamel, not based on the chemical—physical changes occurring in fluorinated toothpastes. Moreover, it shows resistance to brushing as a consequence of chemical bonds between the synthetic and natural crystals of the enamel.

Conclusions

The use of Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite toothpastes has proven to be a valuable prevention measure against dental caries in primary dentition since it prevents the risk of fluorosis.

Physiologic and Metabolic Benefits of Formulated Diets and Mangifera indica in Fluoride Toxicity

Fluorosis is a major health problem affecting normal physiological and metabolic functions in people living in endemic fluoride areas. The present work was aimed at investigating the role of basal, high carbohydrate low protein (HCLP) and high protein low carbohydrate (HPLC) diets and Mangifera indica fruit powder as a food supplement in fluoride-induced metabolic toxicity. Exposure to fluoride resulted in elevation of plasma glucose levels, ACP, ALP, SGPT, SGOT, and hepatic G-6-Pase activities, plasma and hepatic lipid profiles with decreased plasma protein, HDL-C, hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity in basal, HCLP and HPLC diet fed albino rats. However among the three diets tested, HPLC diet was found to be relatively, a better metabolic regulator. All the three formulated diets (basal, HCLP and HPLC) supplemented with mango fruit powder (5 and 10 g), decreased plasma glucose content, ACP, ALP, SGPT, SGOT and hepatic G-6-Pase activities and plasma as well as hepatic lipid profiles. These diets also elevated the hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activities. These effects however, were prominent with the HPLC diet supplemented with mango fruit powder and, among the two doses of mango fruit powder, the higher dose (10 g) yielded more promising results. It is surmised that the micronutrients and phytochemicals present in the diets and the mango fruit could be responsible for attenuation of fluoride-induced metabolic toxicity.

N. A multigrain protein enriched diet mitigates fluoride toxicity

Fluorosis is a major health problem in many parts of the world. The present work focuses on investigating the utility of nutrient and antioxidant rich grains- ragi, jowar, bajra, maize in formulation of basal, high carbohydrate low protein and low carbohydrate high protein diets in mitigating fluoride toxicity. Exposure to fluoride through drinking water not only significantly increased plasma glucose and lipid profiles, but also elevated both hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation, hepatic lipid profiles and G-6-Pase activity with a reduction in plasma HDL-C, hepatic glycogen content, hexokinase activity and antioxidant status. Even though basal and high carbohydrate diets did not significantly alter plasma glucose, lipid profiles in fluoride administered animals, protein enriched multigrain diet significantly decreased plasma glucose and lipid levels. However, the multigrain basal and high carbohydrate diets influenced the hepatic glycogen, lipid profiles, hexokinase and G-6-Pase activities, hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status though not as significantly as that of multigrain diet enriched with protein. Thus the results of the present study indicate that both a multigrain diet rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and fortified with protein is useful in mitigating the fluoride toxicity.

Amla as an antihyperglycemic and hepato-renal protective agent in fluoride induced toxicity

Purpose of the study was to examine the antihyperglycemic and hepato-renal protective effects of Emblica officinalis (Eo) fruit as a food supplement in fluoride induced toxicity. Eo fruit powder was incorporated into the diet (2.5, 5 and 10 gm %) of fluoride exposed animals for a duration of 30 days. Fluoride exposure caused significant elevation in plasma glucose, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and decreased hepatic glycogen content, hexokinase activity and antioxidant profiles (hepatic and renal). An inclusion of Eo fruit powder significantly reduced plasma glucose levels, SGOT, SGPT, ACP and ALP activities, hepatic G-6-Pase activity and increased hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity. Hepatic and renal antioxidant status of fluoride exposed animals improved upon feeding Eo fruit powder. We, therefore, conclude that E. officinalis fruit could be useful in regulating hyperglycemia and enhances antioxidant status of fluoride exposed animals.