[Effects of fluoride on proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts in vitro and the antagonistic action of vitamin C].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of fluoride on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in sucking rats and the antagonism of vitamin Cin vitro. METHODS: The enzyme digesting method was used to isolate the rat osteoblasts; the proliferative response was determined by the percents of reduced alamarBlue; the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: The proliferation of sucking rat osteoblasts was increased at 0.10 - 1.00 mmol/L of NaF, whereas inhibited at >or= 2.00 mmol/L. ALP activity was increased at 0.01 - 0.05 mmol/L of NaF, and decreased at >or= 0.10 mmol/L. The inhibition on proliferation and differentiation at 2 mmol/L NaF was antagonized by vitamin C. CONCLUSION: Fluoride had a two-phase effect on osteoblasts, vitamin C could antagonize the inhibitory effect of higher concentration of fluoride on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.