Objective: To analyze correlation of occupational hydrogen fluoride exposure to low doses of bone metabolism index through occupational epidemiological investigation and benchmark dose calculation. Methods: In May 2021, using cluster sampling method, 237 workers exposed to hydrogen fluoride in a company were selected as the contact group, and 83 workers not exposed to hydrogen fluoride in an electronics production company were selected as the control group. The external exposure dose and urinary fluoride concentration, blood and urine biochemical indicators of the workers was measured.The relationship between external dose and internal dose of hydrogen fluoride was analyzed. The external dose, urinary fluoride was used as exposure biomarkers, while serum osteocalcin (BGP), serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and urinary hydroxyproline (HYP) were used as effect biomarkers for bone metabolism of hydrogen fluoride exposure. The benchmark dose calculation software (BMDS1.3.2) was used to calculate benchmark dose (BMD) . Results: Urine fluoride concentration in the contact group was correlated with creatinine-adjusted urine fluoride concentration (r=0.69, P=0.001). There was no significant correlation between the external dose of hydrogen fluoride and urine fluoride in the contact group (r=0.03, P=0.132). The concentrations of urine fluoride in the contact group and the control group were (0.81±0.61) and (0.45±0.14) mg/L, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t=5.01, P=0.025). Using BGP, AKP and HYP as effect indexes, the urinary BMDL-05 values were 1.28, 1.47 and 1.08 mg/L, respectively. Conclusion: Urinary fluoride can sensitively reflect the changes in the effect indexes of biochemical indexes of bone metabolism. BGP and HYP can be used as early sensitive effect indexes of occupational hydrogen fluoride exposure.
Humans ; Fluorides/adverse effects* ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Benchmarking ; Biomarkers ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*

AIMTo determine whether there was any regional variation in the prevalence of azoospermia, oligozoospermia and mean sperm counts in male partners of infertile couples from different parts of India.

METHODSData on 16,714 semen samples analyzed over the past five years from six different laboratories located in five cities of India were collated and evaluated.

RESULTSThere was a regional variation in the prevalence of azoospermia. The prevalence of azoospermia was extremely high in Kurnool and Jodhpur (38.3% and 37.4%, respectively). There was also a regional variation in the prevalence of oligozoospermia (51%) in Kurnool. There was no significant difference in the mean sperm counts in normospermic men.

CONCLUSIONThere is a regional variation in the prevalence of azoospermia and oligozoospermia in the male partners of infertile couples from different regions of India. The prevalence of azoospermia in Kurnool and Jodhpur is higher than any other worldwide reported literature. Further studies need to be carried out to determine the cause of this.

Cottonseed Oil ; adverse effects ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; Humans ; India ; epidemiology ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Oligospermia ; epidemiology ; Pesticides ; adverse effects ; Prevalence

Adult ; Female ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; Fluorine ; urine ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics and correlation between the prevalence of dental fluorosis and the chemical elemental composition of drinking water sources in coal-fired fluorosis areas. Methods: Based on the survey data on the prevalence of dental fluorosis at CDC in Guizhou Province in 2022, 274 original surface drinking water sources were collected in typical coal-fired fluorosis areas, and fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), lead (Pb) 17 elements; apply Moran's I index, Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis of the global spatial autocorrelation of chemical elements in drinking water and the degree of aggregation of each element on the local area, and correlation analysis with the prevalence of dental fluorosis in the region. Results: Except for Cu, Zn, and Cd, global spatial autocorrelation Moran's I was negative, and all other elements were positive. F, Ca, Al, Ti, As, Mo, Cd, and Cu elements showed high values of aggregation in the southeastern low-altitude area; Mg, Ba, Pb, Cr, Mn, and Fe elements were mainly aggregated in the central altitude terrain transition area, Zn and Se elements in water sources are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence of dental fluorosis (P<0.05). In contrast, F, Mg, Al, Ti, As, Mo, Cd, Ba, and Pb elements negatively correlate (P<0.05). Elements in the central region were high-high aggregation, as a hot spot aggregation area with high disease incidence, while F, Al, Mn, Mo, Cd, and Ba elements in the western region were low-low aggregation, as a cold spot aggregation area with a low incidence of fluorosis. Conclusions: The risk of population fluoride exposure in surface drinking water sources is shallow. However, the chemical element content of drinking water sources in coal-fired polluted endemic fluorosis areas has prominent spatial geographical distribution characteristics. There is a significant spatial aggregation effect with the prevalence of dental fluorosis, which may play a synergistic or antagonistic effect on the occurrence and prevalence of dental fluorosis.
Humans ; Drinking Water ; Prevalence ; Coal ; Fluorides/adverse effects* ; Cadmium ; Fluorosis, Dental/epidemiology* ; Lead ; Selenium ; Arsenic

Adult ; Bone Diseases ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of water fluoride exposure on reproductive hormones in female.

METHODSCross-sectional study was conducted in seven villages of a county in Henan province by using simple random sampling including high fluoride area, defluoridation project area and control area on April, 2011 based on the preliminary study results of fluoride concentration in drinking water. Women who were born and growth or lived in the village at least 5 years and aged 18-48 years old were recruited using cluster sampling. They were divided into high fluoride group (HFG, 116 subjects), defluoridation project group (DFPG, 132 subjects) and control group (CG, 227 subjects) in accordance with the above areas. All subjects accepted questionnaire and physical checkup. Fasting blood and morning urine samples were collected. The concentration of fluoride in urine was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode method. The serum level of GnRH was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) were determined by chemiluminesence immunoassay (CLIA).

RESULTSThe average age was (39.44 ± 7.34), (38.84 ± 8.03), (37.45 ± 7.70) years old in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there were no significant differences among the three groups (F = 3.02, P = 0.05). The urine fluoride levels were (1.34 ± 1.07), (2.59 ± 1.57), (0.92 ± 0.46) mg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there was a significant difference among three groups (F = 105.38, P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed of serum GnRH, LH, T, FSH and E2 among three groups in follicular phase (P > 0.05). The serum levels of E2 in Ovulatory period were 67.73, 58.09, 84.96 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in CG (H = 4.00, P < 0.05). The serum levels of T in Ovulatory period were 0.55, 0.45, 0.55 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 6.47, P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between HFG and CG (H = 2.41, P > 0.05). The serum levels of GnRH in Luteal phase were 24.09, 20.16, 23.50 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 14.14, P < 0.05) and CG (H = 12.53, P < 0.05). The serum level of E2 in luteal phase were 81.47, 64.60, 74.55 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 5.69, P < 0.05). As for LH, FSH and T, no significant differences were observed among the three groups (P > 0.05 respectively). The abnormal rates of E2 level were 22.73 (30/102), 37.93 (44/72), 20.26 (46/181) in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. The E2 abnormal rate in female from HFG was higher that from DFPG (χ(2) = 6.82, P < 0.05) and CG (χ(2) = 12.38, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFluoride exposure may influence reproductive hormones in female, especially in ovulatory and luteal phase of menstrual cycle.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; urine ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Menstrual Cycle ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Progesterone ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupuncture of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen on the excretion of urinary fluoride and pain of the patients with drinking-water type fluorosis.

METHODSThe randomized controlled and single-blind trial was adopted. Seventy-two cases were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. , three treatments a week. In the control group, the Calcium Carbonate D3 tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg each time, twice a day. The duration of treatment was 2 months. The changes of the content of urinary fluoride and pain score (by VAS) before and after treatment between two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe urinary fluoride excretion was increased obviously after treatment in the observation group (P < 0.01), which was superior apparently to that in the control group [(11.06 +/- 4.54) mg/L vs. (8.30 +/- 4.14) mg/L, P < 0.05]. After treatment, VAS score was reduced significantly in either group (both P < 0.01). The result in the observation group was lower remarkably than that in the control group (1.93 +/- 1.30 vs. 3.47 +/- 2.29, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture achieves the significant efficacy on the promotion of urinary fluoride excretion and pain relieving of the patients with drinking-water type fluorosis in light of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen, which is superior to the oral administration of the calcium carbonate D3 tablets.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Drinking Water ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Female ; Fluorides ; toxicity ; urine ; Fluorosis, Dental ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Urination

Male infertility caused by idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (OAT) is known as idiopathic male infertility. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and fluoride may play important roles in idiopathic male infertility, but their effects are still unknown. Our study examined the relationship between GST polymorphisms and fluoride-induced toxicity in idiopathic male infertility and determined the underlying mechanism. Sperm, blood, and urine samples were collected from 560 males. Fluoride levels were measured by a highly selective electrode method, and GST genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Semen parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers were statistically assessed at the P < 0.05 level. Compared with healthy fertile group, semen parameters, fluoride levels, OS biomarkers, sex hormone levels, and MMP and DFI levels were lower in the idiopathic male infertility group. For glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1[-]) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1[-]) or glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) mutant genotypes, levels of semen fluoride, OS, MMP, and DFI were considerably higher, and the mean levels of sperm parameters and testosterone were statistically significant in GSTM1(+), GSTT1(+), and GSTP1 wild-type genotypes. Both semen and blood fluoride levels were associated with oxidative stress in idiopathic male infertility patients. Elevated fluoride in semen with the genotypes listed above was linked to reproductive quality in idiopathic male infertility patients. In conclusion, GST polymorphisms and fluorine may have an indicative relationship between reproductive quality and sex hormone levels, and OS participates in the development of idiopathic male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Fluorides/adverse effects* ; Semen ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Glutathione Transferase/genetics* ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi/genetics* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Genotype ; Biomarkers ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of overdose fluoride on the proliferation of rat's incisor ameloblast.

METHODS20 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 2 groups: Group I (Control); Group II 50 mg/L F(-) were given. After 8 weeks treatment, the AgNORs stain and TUNEL technique were applied to analyze the effect of fluoride on the proliferation and apoptosis of ameloblasts.

RESULTSThe imagination analysis results showed that proliferation of pre-secretion ameloblasts were inhibited in group II as compared with the control group (P < 0.001). There was significant increase of apoptosis with the trend of migration toward secretion stage.

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of fluorosis mottled enamel may be the effect of overdose fluoride with inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of ameloblasts resulting in dysfunction of secretion or absorption of enamel matrix proteins.

Ameloblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dental Enamel ; pathology ; Female ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; Fluorosis, Dental ; pathology ; Incisor ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND: High fluoride levels in drinking water in relation to the prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka were investigated using rats as an experimental model. METHOD: The effects of fluoride after oral administration of Sodium fluoride (NaF) at levels of 0, 0.5, 5 and 20 ppm F were evaluated in adult male Wistar rats. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 9), namely, control, test I, II, and III. Control group was given daily 1 ml/rat of distilled water and test groups I, II, and III were treated 1 ml/rat of NaF doses of 0.5, 5, and 20 ppm, respectively, by using a stomach tube. Three rats from the control group and each experimental group were sacrificed after 15, 30, and 60 days following treatment. Serological and histopathological investigations were carried out using blood, kidney, and liver. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in body weight gain and relative organ weights of the liver and kidney in fluoride-treated groups compared to control group. After 60 days of fluoride administration, group I showed a mild portal inflammation with lytic necrosis while multiple areas of focal necrosis and various degrees of portal inflammation were observed in groups II and III. This was further confirmed by increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. As compared with control and other treated groups, group III showed a significantly higher serum AST activity (p < 0.05) and ALT activity (p < 0.05) after 60 days and ALP activity with a significant difference (p < 0.05) after 15, 30, and 60 days. The renal histological analysis showed normal histological features in all groups with the elevated serum creatinine levels in group III compared to those in the groups I and II (p < 0.05) after 60 days. Significantly elevated serum fluoride levels were observed in group II of 30 and 60 days and group III after 15, 30, and 60 days with respective to control groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Taken together, these findings indicate that there can be some alterations in liver enzyme activities at early stages of fluoride intoxication followed by renal damage.
Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; etiology