title: Fingernails and toenails as biomarkers of subchronic exposure to fluoride from dentifrice in 2- to 3-year-old children.
abstract: This work evaluated the use of fingernails and toenails as biomarkers of subchronic exposure to fluoride (F) from fluoride dentifrice (FD) in 2- to 3-year-old children. Ten 2- to 3-year-old children used a placebo dentifrice (without F) for 28 days, FD (1,570 ppm F as monofluorophosphate) for the following 28 days, and then placebo dentifrice for an additional 28 days, then returned to their usual dentifrices. Fingernails and toenails were clipped every 2 weeks, during the experimental period and for an additional 22 weeks. Nail F was analyzed by electrode following hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion. There were no significant differences between fingernail and toenail F concentrations. Mean peak F concentrations occurred 16 weeks after starting the use of FD. Results suggest that fingernails and toenails may be suitable biomarkers of subchronic exposure to F from FD in small children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics, Orthodontics and Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Heloísa
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Corrêa Rodrigues
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: de Magalhães Bastos
authors.forename: Marília Afonso
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rabelo Buzalaf
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004058:Diffusion; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017736:Ion-Selective Electrodes; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D010710:Phosphates; D010919:Placebos; C012980:fluorophosphate; D005459:Fluorides