Metabolism and proliferation of L929 mouse fibroblasts cultured in the presence of sodium fluoride.

L 929 mouse fibroblasts were cultured as monolayers with different amounts of sodium fluoride, corresponding to those used therapeutically. Proliferation of the cells was inhibited in the logarithmic phase of cell growth. There was no change in the protein concentration in the cells, but the concentration of hydroxyproline containing substances in the cells increased while that of hexuronic acid containing substances decreased. The changes in proliferation and in the concentrations of hydroxyproline containing substances and hexuronic acid containing substances were statistically significant. Although the findings cannot be explained in detail it can be concluded that at therapeutic concentrations sodium fluoride has a definite action in contact with the fibroblast, the typical connective tissue cell. This dose dependant action corroborates clinical experience.