Influence of sodium fluoride and caffeine on the concentration of fluoride ions, glucose, and urea in blood serum and activity of protein metabolism enzymes in rat liver

The aim of the study was examining the effect of fluoride ions and caffeine administration on glucose and urea concentration in blood serum and the activity of protein metabolism enzymes and selected enzymes of the urea cycle in rat liver. The study was carried out using 18 male Sprague-Daowley rats (4.5 mo old). Rats were divided into three groups. Group I received distilled water ad libitum. Group II received 4.9 mg F⁻/kg body mass/d of sodium fluoride in the water, and group III received sodium fluoride (in the above-mentioned dose) and 3 mg/kg body mass/d of caffeine in the water. After 50 d, the rats were anesthetized with thiopental and fluoride ions, glucose, and urea concentration in blood serum were determined. Also determined were the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase glutamate dehydrogenase, ornithine carbamoylotransferase and arginase in liver homogenates. Liver was taken for pathomorphological examinations. The applied doses of F⁻ (4.9 mg/kg body mass/d) and F⁻+ caffeine (4.9 mg F⁻/kg body mass/d+3 mg caffeine/kg body mass/d) resulted in a statistically significant increase of fluoride ion concentration in blood serum, a slight increase of the glucose concentration, and no changes in the concentration of urea in blood serum. This might testify to the absence of kidney lesions for the applied concentrations of F⁻. No change in the functioning of hepatocytes was observed; however, slight disturbances have been noted in the functioning of the liver, connected with the activation of urea cycle, increase of arginase activity, and accumulation of F⁻ in this organ. There was no observed significant influence of caffeine supplementation on the obtained results.