Adverse effects of fluoride and/or arsenic on the cerebral hemisphere of mice and recovery by some antidotes

The effects of oral administration of sodium fluoride (NaF) and/or arsenic trioxide (As sub(2)O sub(3)) at 5 and 0.5 mg/kg body weight doses, respectively, for 30 days were studied on the physiology and histology of brain (cerebral hemisphere) of adult mice (Mus musculus). Recovery after 30 additional days by some antidotes (vitamins C and E and calcium phosphate) was also examined. The observed significant decline in levels of DNA and RNA and acetylcholinesterase activity in brain (cerebral hemisphere) of mice treated with NaF, As sub(2)O sub(3) and NaF + As sub(2)O sub(3) is related to its altered histology. The combined antidote treatment was conducive for recovery of this fluoride and arsenic induced toxicity in the brain. These results are viewed as having important implications for fluoride and arsenic endemic populations all over the globe.