title: Effects of dietary protein and calcium on thymus apoptosis induced by fluoride in female rats (Wistar rats).
abstract: Our previous studies showed that excessive fluoride (F) ingestion seriously damaged the nonspecific immune function in rabbits. However, the underlying mechanisms of the F-induced damage to the immune system are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether F induces thymus apoptosis in female rats and its underlying mechanisms by monitoring ultrastructural changes and DNA fragmentation. The results showed that excessive F induced ultrastructural changes and significantly increased the tail length and tailing ratio in thymus lymphocytes. Protein (Pr) supplementation markedly decreased the tailing ratio in thymus lymphocytes in the case of malnutrition. Furthermore, molecular analysis showed that excessive F ingestion significantly up-regulated the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA, whereas Pr and calcium (Ca) supplementation down-regulated the expression levels induced by excessive F in the case of malnutrition. In conclusion, these results indicate that excessive F up-regulates the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA and induces thymus apoptosis in female rats. Pr and Ca play key roles in process of F-induced thymus apoptosis in malnourished female rats.
authors.affiliation: Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China.
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bianhua
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jinling
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Xinli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Chunfang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Jundong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium