Boron compound administration; A novel agent in weight management: A systematic review and meta- analysis of animal studies

Effect of Boric Acid on Metabolic Peptides and Some Biochemical Parameters in Experimental Diabetic Rats

Boron (B) is an element that has recently been wondered and researched in many fields, especially due to its effects on energy metabolism. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of boric acid (BA) on newly discovered energy metabolism peptides that have not been studied before. In this study, the effects of 15 mg/kg of BA were evaluated in 24 Wistar rats. Groups were named as control group, 15 mg/kg BA group, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetic group, and STZ-induced experimental diabetic + 15 mg/kg BA administered group (STZ+15 mg/kg BA). Serum asprosin, nesfatin-1, preptin, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and glucose analyses were performed. In this study, the increase in glucose, TG, TC, LDL-C levels, and AST, ALT activities in STZ-induced groups were reduced with BA administration. While HDL-C level significantly decreased in the STZ group, the level approached the control group values after BA administration (p<0.001). As for peptides, although there was a statistically significant increase after 15 mg/kg BA administration, these levels did not approach the control group values (p<0.001). According to the findings, STZ-induced diabetes mellitus and the biochemical processes that develop accordingly change correlatively. This study showed that BA is effective in energy metabolism.

Effects of boron citrate supplementation on cardiometabolic factors, inflammatory biomarkers and anthropometric measures in obese patients: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a chronic disease with serious health consequences, but weight loss is difficult to maintain through lifestyle intervention alone. The efficacy and safety of boron citrate (BC), a novel therapeutic approach, in patients with obesity are not known. The current trial will take place to determine the effects of BC supplementation on cardiometabolic factors, inflammatory biomarkers, anthropometric measures and body composition in obese patients.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial will involve 60 eligible obese participants aged 18-60 years. Participants will randomly be allocated to receive either BC capsules (containing 10 mg of boron) in the intervention group or placebo capsules (containing 10 mg of maltodextrin) in the placebo group for 12 weeks. Moreover, physical activity and dietary recommendations will be provided for both groups. To assess the dietary intakes of participants, a 3-day food record (2 days of the week and 1 day of the weekend) will be filled. Cardiometabolic factors, inflammatory biomarkers including tumour necrosis factor α, C reactive protein, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels, anthropometric measures and body composition will be assessed at the baseline and end of the intervention. The findings of this study will provide evidence for the effectiveness of BC in the management of obesity.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

There are so far no reported adverse effects associated with the use of boron. This trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (approval number: IR.TBZMED.REC.1401.350). Positive as well as negative findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

IRCT20220806055624N1.

Boron-Containing Compounds for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Human Metabolic Disorders

The application of natural and synthetic boron-containing compounds (BCC) in biomedical field is expanding. BCC have effects in the metabolism of living organisms. Some boron-enriched supplements are marketed as they exert effects in the bone and skeletal muscle; but also, BCC are being reported as acting on the enzymes and transporters of membrane suggesting they could modify the carbohydrate metabolism linked to some pathologies of high global burden, as an example is diabetes mellitus. Also, some recent findings are showing effects of BCC on lipid metabolism. In this review, information regarding the effects and interaction of these compounds was compiled, as well as the potential application for treating human metabolic disorders is suggested.