The mechanism of fluoride-induced hypocalcaemia

A. B T J Boink; J. Wemer; J. Meulenbelt; H. A M G Vaessen; D. J. De Wildt

The mechanism of fluoride-induced hypocalcaemia

A. B T J Boink^*, J. Wemer, J. Meulenbelt, H. A M G Vaessen, D. J. De Wildt

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

1. Fluoride intoxication leads to sudden cardiac death which has been assumed to result from the accompanying severe hypocalcaemia. The aim of this study has been to investigate the suggestion that fluorapatite formation rather than CaF₂ precipitation is responsible for this low calcium. 2. Measurements of free Ca²⁺ and F^-ion concentrations in HEPES buffered solutions containing F^-, Ca²⁺, and phosphate ions at different concentrations in the absence and presence of hydroxyapatite showed that the presence of hydroxyapatite enhanced the decrease of Ca²⁺ and F^- concentration. 3. The ratio of Ca²⁺ F^- clearance was 5:1 which is consistent with formation of fluorapatite. These results support the hypothesis that hydroxyapatite acts as a nucleation catalyst for fluorapatite formation and this process is responsible for the hypocalcaemia induced by fluoride intoxication. 4. The proposed mechanism explains also the metabolic acidosis which is frequently seen in cases of fluoride intoxication.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	149-155
Number of pages	7
Journal	Human Toxicology
Volume	13
Issue number	3
Publication status	Published - 5 Apr 1994

Cite this

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title = "The mechanism of fluoride-induced hypocalcaemia",

abstract = "1. Fluoride intoxication leads to sudden cardiac death which has been assumed to result from the accompanying severe hypocalcaemia. The aim of this study has been to investigate the suggestion that fluorapatite formation rather than CaF2 precipitation is responsible for this low calcium. 2. Measurements of free Ca2+ and F-ion concentrations in HEPES buffered solutions containing F-, Ca2+, and phosphate ions at different concentrations in the absence and presence of hydroxyapatite showed that the presence of hydroxyapatite enhanced the decrease of Ca2+ and F- concentration. 3. The ratio of Ca2+ F- clearance was 5:1 which is consistent with formation of fluorapatite. These results support the hypothesis that hydroxyapatite acts as a nucleation catalyst for fluorapatite formation and this process is responsible for the hypocalcaemia induced by fluoride intoxication. 4. The proposed mechanism explains also the metabolic acidosis which is frequently seen in cases of fluoride intoxication.",

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AU - Boink, A. B T J

AU - Wemer, J.

AU - Meulenbelt, J.

AU - Vaessen, H. A M G

AU - De Wildt, D. J.

PY - 1994/4/5

Y1 - 1994/4/5

N2 - 1. Fluoride intoxication leads to sudden cardiac death which has been assumed to result from the accompanying severe hypocalcaemia. The aim of this study has been to investigate the suggestion that fluorapatite formation rather than CaF2 precipitation is responsible for this low calcium. 2. Measurements of free Ca2+ and F-ion concentrations in HEPES buffered solutions containing F-, Ca2+, and phosphate ions at different concentrations in the absence and presence of hydroxyapatite showed that the presence of hydroxyapatite enhanced the decrease of Ca2+ and F- concentration. 3. The ratio of Ca2+ F- clearance was 5:1 which is consistent with formation of fluorapatite. These results support the hypothesis that hydroxyapatite acts as a nucleation catalyst for fluorapatite formation and this process is responsible for the hypocalcaemia induced by fluoride intoxication. 4. The proposed mechanism explains also the metabolic acidosis which is frequently seen in cases of fluoride intoxication.

AB - 1. Fluoride intoxication leads to sudden cardiac death which has been assumed to result from the accompanying severe hypocalcaemia. The aim of this study has been to investigate the suggestion that fluorapatite formation rather than CaF2 precipitation is responsible for this low calcium. 2. Measurements of free Ca2+ and F-ion concentrations in HEPES buffered solutions containing F-, Ca2+, and phosphate ions at different concentrations in the absence and presence of hydroxyapatite showed that the presence of hydroxyapatite enhanced the decrease of Ca2+ and F- concentration. 3. The ratio of Ca2+ F- clearance was 5:1 which is consistent with formation of fluorapatite. These results support the hypothesis that hydroxyapatite acts as a nucleation catalyst for fluorapatite formation and this process is responsible for the hypocalcaemia induced by fluoride intoxication. 4. The proposed mechanism explains also the metabolic acidosis which is frequently seen in cases of fluoride intoxication.

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M3 - Article

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The mechanism of fluoride-induced hypocalcaemia

Abstract

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