Chronic treatment with fluoride affects the jejunum: insights from proteomics and enteric innervation analysis

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 16;8(1):3180. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21533-4.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal symptoms are the first signs of fluoride (F) toxicity. In the present study, the jejunum of rats chronically exposed to F was evaluated by proteomics, as well as by morphological analysis. Wistar rats received water containing 0, 10 or 50 mgF/L during 30 days. HuC/D, neuronal Nitric Oxide (nNOS), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP), and Substance P (SP) were detected in the myenteric plexus of the jejunum by immunofluorescence. The density of nNOS-IR neurons was significantly decreased (compared to both control and 10 mgF/L groups), while the VIP-IR varicosities were significantly increased (compared to control) in the group treated with the highest F concentration. Significant morphological changes were seen observed in the density of HUC/D-IR neurons and in the area of SP-IR varicosities for F-treated groups compared to control. Changes in the abundance of various proteins correlated with relevant biological processes, such as protein synthesis, glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism were revealed by proteomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / metabolism
  • Duodenum / metabolism
  • ELAV-Like Protein 3 / metabolism
  • Enteric Nervous System / drug effects
  • Fluorides / adverse effects*
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism
  • Jejunum / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Minerals / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Substance P / metabolism
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / metabolism

Substances

  • ELAV-Like Protein 3
  • Elavl3 protein, rat
  • Minerals
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Substance P
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Fluorides