Fluorine present in the environment is absorbed by organisms mainly by the gastric system. Its absorption may sometimes be inhibited by the presence of Al⁺³. The accumulation of fluorides, as described in literature, concerns mainly bones and teeth, but there is a growing interest in its accumulation in soft tissues during chronic exposure. It has been reported that despite the blood-brain barrier fluorine gets to the brain, where it cumulates and may cause various disorders.

The aim of this study was to examine the character of fluoride distribution in the brains of rats exposed to NaF, and both to NaF and AlCl₃, in drinking water.

The study was carried out on 140 female and male Wistar rats, divided randomly into groups: I – females, receiving 100 ppm fluoride ions for one month; II – females receiving fluorine (100 ppm) and 300 ppm of aluminum ions alternately every second day for one month, III – females receiving 100 ppm F^- for four months; IV – females receiving fluorine and aluminum every second day (100ppm and 300ppm, respectively) for four months; groups IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA were male and were treated indentically. Relevant control groups were assigned for both males and females; controls were given only distilled water (groups K_1, K2, K₃, K₄). After the set period of time, the animals were terminated after being given general anaesthetic. The brains were prepared and cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus were separated. After mineralization in a microwave oven and adequate preparation, fluoride content was determined with the potentiometer method using fluoride ion selective electrode ORION 9609.

During the study no significant changes were observed in the behaviour of the intoxicated animals, except the slight change in the shade of their fur (more yellow), compared with the control. The study confirmed the permeability of the blood-brain barrier for fluorine and the possibility of its accumulation in the OUN structures. We observed that longer exposure to NaF (4 months) paradoxically did not result in increased fluorine accumulation in the studied structures.

Less unequivocal results were obtained in groups intoxicated with fluorine and aluminum. In most cases we observed greater fluorine concentrations in groups exposed for 4 months compared with 1 month long exposure. The analysis of the fluorine distribution in CNS showed that the highest concentrations were in the cerebellums and hippocampi of the animals exposed to NaF, regardless of the duration of exposure. The results suggest the uneven distribution of fluorine in CNS, which may result in varied intoxication-related biochemical, histopathological and clinical state.

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