Surface changes in rat gastric mucosa induced by sodium fluoride: a scanning electron microscopic study.

This paper describes the ultrastructural, topographical changes seen in rat gastric mucosa following application of 0.1 N HCl or 1, 10 or 50 mM NaF in 0.1 N HCl to the stomach. No morphological differences were noticed between the 0.1 N HCl (control) and 1 mM NaF in 0.1 N HCl specimens. Ten milliomolar NaF in 0.1 N HCl produced some desquamation of surface mucous epithelial cells while 50 mM NaF produced extensive damage to cells surrounding the gastric gland openings (foveolae) as well as interfoveolar cell loss.