Histopathological effects of sodium fluoride on the duodenum of rabbits

To gain a better understanding of how fluoride causes gastrointestinal distress, we conducted an experimental study on rabbits to evaluate damage to the gastroduodenal tissue by sodium fluoride. Young albino rabbits weighing 400-600 g were injected daily with 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg NaF/kg bw for fifteen weeks and then sacrificed. Histopathological examination of the duodenum revealed erosion and necrosis of surface mucosa, hemorrhages, necrosis of Brunner's gland, clumped submucosa, and hypertrophy of muscles in muscularis mucosae in increasing severity according to the dose of NaF. Most noteworthy was the loss of mucosal layer in direct proportional to the amount of fluoride administered.