Fluorine-Induced Apoptosis and Lipid Peroxidation in Human Hair Follicles In Vitro

Fluoride is an essential trace element for human body; however, exposure to high amounts of fluoride has been documented to be correlated with an increasing risk of hair loss. To date, little is known about the mechanism(s) of how fluoride affects hair follicles. Here, we demonstrated that middle (1.0 mmol/L) and high (10.0 mmol/L) concentrations of sodium fluoride (NaF) significantly inhibited hair follicle elongation in vitro, but low NaF (0.1 mmol/L) showed little influence. Moreover, treatment with high levels of NaF resulted in a marked increase in terminal dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells in the outer layer of the outer root sheath, the dermal sheath, and the lower bulb matrix surrounding dermal papilla. Furthermore, the enhanced apoptosis was coupled with an increased oxidative stress manifested as higher malondialdehyde content. Additionally, the presence of selenium considerably antagonized the effects of middle NaF on hair follicles, with regard to either the suppression of hair growth or the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis. In conclusion, exposure to high levels of fluoride compromises hair follicle growth and accelerate cell apoptosis in vitro. The toxicity of fluoride can be reduced by selenium, at least partially via the suppression of intracellular oxidative stress.

I still have to read up on "dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells" and malondialdehyde as a marker of oxidative stress, but it seems like selenium counteracts the oxidative stress. I wonder if concentrations of fluoride in tap water is high enough to have a negative effect on hair follicles.

-MP

mphatesmpb wrote:

Fluoride is an essential trace element for human body; however, exposure to high amounts of fluoride has been documented to be correlated with an increasing risk of hair loss. To date, little is known about the mechanism(s) of how fluoride affects hair follicles. Here, we demonstrated that middle (1.0 mmol/L) and high (10.0 mmol/L) concentrations of sodium fluoride (NaF) significantly inhibited hair follicle elongation in vitro, but low NaF (0.1 mmol/L) showed little influence. Moreover, treatment with high levels of NaF resulted in a marked increase in terminal dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells in the outer layer of the outer root sheath, the dermal sheath, and the lower bulb matrix surrounding dermal papilla. Furthermore, the enhanced apoptosis was coupled with an increased oxidative stress manifested as higher malondialdehyde content. Additionally, the presence of selenium considerably antagonized the effects of middle NaF on hair follicles, with regard to either the suppression of hair growth or the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis. In conclusion, exposure to high levels of fluoride compromises hair follicle growth and accelerate cell apoptosis in vitro. The toxicity of fluoride can be reduced by selenium, at least partially via the suppression of intracellular oxidative stress.

I still have to read up on "dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells" and malondialdehyde as a marker of oxidative stress, but it seems like selenium counteracts the oxidative stress. I wonder if concentrations of fluoride in tap water is high enough to have a negative effect on hair follicles.

-MP

Yes. I'm walking proof. Last year, before I realized not all water was equal, I'd get my drinking water straight from the tap (usually Brita though), and drank huge amounts of it... a liter a day maybe... and I was wondering why my hair was looking just awful. I thought water was good and required to keep it healthy. It was during this 5 month period where my hair shed very rapidly, as in run my hand through a section of hairs and end up pulling out 8-10, not to mention the globs in the shower drain. My scalp also became quite dry, and I had some mental fog too. After reading about the fluoride, I stopped drinking it cold turkey, and added 30mg of iodine daily. Within 1 week, no more hair fall, and better mental clarity. Nowadays, I drink spring water, and quite a bit of it, with barely any shedding. The only marked difference in the two is the amount of fluoride. (I've compared the sample tests)

I also started selenium last week. If hair fall slows even more, I've got a fairly solid theory, which you point out here, that fluorides do indeed weaken follicles.

Not to think it's just coincidence either, this problem only occurred while consuming tap water, not before or after that phase.