#AI reads Urine# Urinary proteomic biomarkers of systemic fluoride exposure in children
Published 06 April, 2026
This study conducted a urinary proteomic analysis on school - aged children aged 6 - 14 years living in high - fluoride areas, dividing the subjects into a high - fluoride (HF) group and a low - fluoride (LF) group based on their urinary fluoride excretion. By using LC - MS/MS technology, 460 urinary proteins were detected, and it was found that 10 proteins in the HF group had significant differential expression, among which 6 proteins including PHPT1 and SPP1 were up - regulated, while 4 proteins such as CTSH and NECTIN1 were down - regulated. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that these differential proteins were related to cell adhesion, ossification and tissue development. In particular, the altered expressions of osteopontin (SPP1) and tenascin - C (TNC), which are key regulators of bone remodeling and dental matrix organization, suggested that high fluoride exposure would disrupt focal adhesion signaling, impair matrix integrity and dysregulate biomineralization. Meanwhile, the changes in proteins associated with enamel formation, oxidative stress and immune regulation implied that high fluoride exposure might extensively disrupt extracellular matrix organization and trigger inflammatory pathways. These findings revealed that excessive fluoride exposure could induce systemic molecular disorders in children, affecting the homeostasis of bones and soft tissues. The study not only uncovered the potential molecular mechanisms by which excessive fluoride exposure leads to skeletal and dental abnormalities in children, but also confirmed that urinary proteomics can serve as a non - invasive method for detecting early molecular disturbances caused by fluoride exposure, providing new molecular targets and scientific basis for the monitoring and prevention of fluorosis.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2026 Jan 1:309:119643. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119643.
Youhe Gao
Statement: During the preparation of this work the author(s) used Doubao / AI reading for summarizing the content. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.
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