Fluoride,parathyroid hormone and calcitonin: Inter-relationships in bone calcium metabolism

The influence of fluoride, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin on bone calcium metabolism was investigated in a bone culture system using half-calvaria of five-day old mice. Fluoride levels in the ash of half-calvaria of 0.007% (low fluoride group), 0.041% (moderate fluoride group), and 0.107% (high fluoride group) were achieved by varying the maternal and neonatal intake of fluoride. Fluoride inhibited the loss of calcium from bones cultured in control medium and parathyroid hormone-containing media, and promoted the uptake of calcium by bones cultured in medium containing calcitonin. Dead bones of the moderate and high fluoride groups took up more calcium from the culture medium than bones of the low fluoride group. Fluoride appears to exert its effect on bone calcium metabolism predominantly via a reduction in mineral solubility.Supported by Grant No. DE-01850, National Institute of Dental Research, Bethesda, Maryland.