High Doses of Boron Have No Protective Effect Against Nephrolithiasis or Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model

Proteomic Analysis of Rat Duodenum Reveals the Modulatory Effect of Boron Supplementation on Immune Activity

The proper supplementation of boron, an essential trace element, can enhance animal immune function. We utilized the method of TMT peptide labeling in conjunction with LC-MS/MS quantitative proteomics for the purpose of examining the effects of boric acid on a rat model and analyzing proteins from the duodenum. In total, 5594 proteins were obtained from the 0, 10, and 320 mg/L boron treatment groups. Two hundred eighty-four proteins that exhibit differential expression were detected. Among the comparison, groups of 0 vs. 10 mg/L, 0 vs. 320 mg/L, and 10 vs. 320 mg/L of boron, 110, 32, and 179 proteins, respectively, demonstrated differential expression. The results revealed that these differential expression proteins (DEPs) mainly clustered into two profiles. GO annotations suggested that most of the DEPs played a role in the immune system process, in which 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase-like, myxovirus resistance 1, myxovirus resistance 2, dynein cytoplasmic 1 intermediate chain 1, and coiled-coil domain containing 88B showed differential expression. The DEPs had demonstrated an augmentation in the signaling pathways, which primarily include phagosome, antigen processing, and presentation, as well as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Our study found that immune responses in the duodenum were enhanced by lower doses of boron and that this effect is likely mediated by changes in protein expression patterns in related signaling pathways. It offers an in-depth understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms that lead to immune modulation in rats subjected to dietary boron treatment.

The effect of different boron compounds on nutrient digestibility, intestinal nutrient transporters, and liver lipid metabolism

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal health is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Improving nutrient absorption and energy metabolism are the critical targets for intestinal health. This study aimed to determine the effects of different boron (B) derivatives on nutrient digestibility, intestinal nutrient transporters, and lipid metabolism in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-one rats were allocated to three groups (n = 7) as follows: (i) Control, (ii) Sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (SPP), and (iii) boric acid (BA). The rats were fed a chow diet (AIN-93M) and supplemented with 8 mg/kg elemental B from SPP (45.2 mg/kg BW) and BA (42.7 mg/kg BW) via oral gavage every other day for 12 weeks. The nutrient digestibility of rats in each group was measured using the indigestible indicator (chromium oxide, Cr2 O3, 0.20%). At the end of the experiment, animals were decapitated by cervical dislocation and jejunum, and liver samples were taken from each animal. The nutrient transporters and lipid-regulated transcription factors were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The nutrient digestibility (except for ash) was increased by SPP and BA supplementation (p < 0.05). SPP and BA-supplemented rats had higher jejunal glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), GLUT2, GLUT5, sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1), fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP1), and FATP4 mRNA expression levels compared to nonsupplemented rats (p < 0.0001). BA-supplemented rats had remarkably higher peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) levels than nonsupplemented rats (p < 0.0001). In contrast, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), liver X receptor alpha (LxR-α), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) levels decreased by SPP supplementation compared to other groups (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

SPP and BA administration enhanced nutrient digestibility, intestinal nutrient transporters, and liver lipid metabolism in rats.

Investigating effects of locally applied boric acid on fracture healing with and without low-level laser therapy

This study aimed to investigate the effects on fracture healing of locally applied boric acid (BA) with and without low-level laser therapy (LLLT). A unicortical femoral defect was surgically created on the anterolateral surface of proximal femur of each subject. The subjects, totaling 56 Wistar albino rats, were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 14 each): control, LLLT (λ = 905 μm, 10,000 Hz, 25 mW, and peak power 25 W), BA (40 mg/kg), and BA + LLLT groups. On the 30th day, the highest radiological score was recorded for the BA + LLLT group (3.63 [2-4]), followed by the BA (3.38 [2.75-3.75]), control (3 [2-3.25]), and LLLT (2.5 [1.25-3]) groups. On days 15 and 30 post-surgery, malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower among the BA + LLLT group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). On day 30, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase levels were highest in the BA + LLLT group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). When the histopathological, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical findings on the 15th and 30th days were compared with the control group, a statistically significant difference was found for the BA and BA + LLLT groups (p ˂ 0.05). This study suggests that locally applied BA with LLLT may accelerate fracture healing.

Sodium pentaborate pentahydrate promotes hair growth through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and growth factors

BACKGROUND

Boron (B) is an element involved in many physiological processes in humans and accelerates wound healing and increases angiogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB) on hair growth and reveal its effects on Wnt-1, β-catenin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling pathways, which are important molecular mechanisms involved in hair growth.

METHODS

Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley/Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: non-shaved control, shaved control, NaB 1 mg (shaved + NaB 1 mg elemental B/kg CA), NaB 2 mg (shaved + NaB 2 mg elemental B/kg CA), and NaB 4 mg (shaved + NaB 4 mg elemental B/kg CA). Hair density was measured using the trichoscopy method. Dorsal skin samples were examined histopathologically at the end of the 42nd day, and follicle count, follicle diameter, and subcutaneous tissue thickness were recorded. Wnt-1, β-catenin, PDGF, VEGF, TGF-β_1, and collagen I levels were analyzed with the Western blot method.

RESULTS

In trichoscopy measurements, hair density increased in the NaB 4 mg group (90.9%). In histopathological examination, anagen follicles were observed to increase in the NaB 1 mg and 2 mg groups (p < 0.05). Follicle diameter increased in all NaB groups (p < 0.05). The Wnt-1, β-catenin, PDGF, VEGF, TGF-β₁, and collagen I level increased in the NaB 1 mg and 2 mg groups (p < 0.05), but they were similar in the NaB 4 mg group compared to the control groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

NaB 1 and 2 mg B/kg supplementation induces the anagen phase in rats via Wnt-1, β-catenin, VEGF, PDGF, and TGF-β1 signaling pathways. NaB 4 mg B/kg suppresses these pathways and adversely affects hair growth.

Transcriptome Profiling of Duodenum Reveals the Importance of Boron Supplementation in Modulating Immune Activities in Rats

As an essential trace element, appropriate boron supplementation can promote immune function of animals. To illustrate the effects of boron in a rat model, RNA-Seq was conducted for the RNA from duodenum after treatment with different concentration of boron in which boron was given in the form of boric acid. More than 47 million reads were obtained in 0, 10, and 320 mg/L boron (0, 57.21, and 1830.66 mg/L boric acid) treatment groups that produced 58 965 402, 48 607 328, and 46 760 660 clean reads, respectively. More than 95% of the clean reads were successfully matched to the rat reference genome and assembled to generate 32 662 transcripts. A total of 624 and 391 differentially expressed candidate genes (DEGs) were found between 0 vs.10 and 0 vs. 320 mg/L boron comparison groups. We also identified transcription start site, transcription terminal site, and skipped exons as the main alternative splicing events. GO annotations revealed most of DEGs were involved in the regulation of immune activity. The DEGs were enriched in influenza A, herpes simplex infection, cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway, and antigen processing and presentation signaling pathways. The expression levels of genes enriched in these signaling pathways indicate that lower doses of boron could achieve better effects on promoting immune response in the duodenum. These effects on the immune system appear to be mediated via altering the expression patterns of genes involved in the related signaling pathways in a dose-dependent pattern. These data provide more insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation in rats in response to dietary boron treatment.

The Role of Oxidative Stress, Renal Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Post Ischemic Reperfusion Injury of Kidney Tissue: the Protective Effect of Dose-Dependent Boric Acid Administration

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with a strong inflammatory and oxidative stress response to hypoxia and reperfusion that impair organ function. We aimed to investigate the role of oxidative stress, renal inflammation, and apoptosis in the injury of the kidney tissue after ischemic reperfusion, and the protective effect of dose-dependent boric acid administration. For this purpose, 35 Sprague Dawley albino rats were divided into five groups of seven animals in each group: Sham, I/R and I/R + boric acid (BA) (i.p at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). All animals underwent nephrectomy (the right kidney was removed) and were expected to recover for 15 days. After recovery, each animal received 45 min of ischemia. BA was injected intraperitoneally 10 min before reperfusion and a 24-h reperfusion procedure was performed. Sham group only underwent surgical stress procedure. In order to investigate the oxidative stress induced by I/R injury and antioxidant effects of different BA doses in the kidney tissue, TAS, TOS, MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH levels were measured. DNA fragmentation, cytochrome C levels, caspase 3 activity were measured to determine apoptotic index in tissue. IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured in the evaluation of inflammation. Hematoxylin-eosin and TUNEL staining was performed for histopathological examinations. As a result, increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis after I/R were decreased with different doses of BA treatment. The application of high-dose BA was found to be lower in anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects than in the low-dose groups.