The Effect of Fluoride on Proliferation and Cell Cycle of Osteoblasts in Vitro

Objective: To culture the osteoblasts and study the influence of fluoride on osteoblasts in vitro. Methods: Osteoblasts were cultured, purified and appraised, then dealt with various concentrations of fluoride (20, 160, 240 and 400 μmol/L). The proliferation of osteoblasts was observed with MTT method, and the changes of cell phase and apoptosis were investigated using flow cytometry. Results: Fluoride of low concentration (20 μmol/L) promoted the proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro (P0.01) and the cells in S and G2/M phase increased markedly. It did not increase the apoptosis of osteoblasts. With the increasing concentrations of fluoride (160,240 and 400 μmol/L), the proliferation of osteoblasts was inhibited. The apoptosis was induced and the cell transformation from S phase to G2/M phase was also inhibited. Conclusions: 1) The model of cell fluorosis has been established in vitro successfully; 2) Fluoride of low concentration could promote the proliferation of osteoblasts and increase the cell number in S and G2/M phases; Fluoride of high concentrations could inhibite the proliferation of osteoblasts and induce the apoptosis; 3) Fluoride has two-phase effects in vitro.