Gene expression of Runx2, RANKL, Smad3 and ALK5 in rats treated by fluoride with or without SB431542.

<p>Rats was treated with sodium fluoride by gavage at 10 mgF^-/kg.bw and 20 mgF^-/kg.bw for 2 months, and half of rats in each group were injected with an ALK5 inhibitor (SB431542, 2.1 mg/kg.bw). The femurs were collected and extracted mRNA by Trizol reagent. Realtime PCR was used to analyze Runx2, RANKL, Smad3 and ALK5 expression. Results are expressed as mean± SD(n = 3). (**P < 0.01 compare with control group; aa P < 0.01, compare with two groups).