The effects of fluoride on cell cycle and apoptosis in cultured calvarial cell from suckling mice

Objective To investigate the effects of fluoride on growth, cell cycle and apoptosis in cultured calvarial cell from suckling mice. Methods MTT colorimetry was used to detect cell activity. FCM was applied to study cell cycle and apoptotic percentage. Results The concentrations of fluoride at 8. 84,22. 1,44. 2 mg/L did not influence cell growth at 24 and 48 h. Cell growth was inhibited with fluoride concentration at 110. 5 mg/L,48 h or 44. 2,110. 5 mg/L, 120 h; whereas cell growth could be stimulated at 8. 84 mg/L,120 h. Fluoride at 44. 2 mg/L increased the cell number of S phase with relative decrease of the cell number of G2/M phase, but did not change that in G0/G1 phase. The apoptotic percentage increased at 22. 1,44. 2 mg/L of fluoride with a decrease of DNA content at 44. 2 mg/L. Conclusions Excessive fluoride can influence cell cycle distribution of cultured cal-vavial cells and render the cell cycle stagnant in S phase. Low-level fluoride can stimulate cell growth, while high-level fluoride can decreace cell activity and induce apoptosis.