Effect of Boron on the Repair of Osteochondral Defect and Oxidative Stress in Rats: an Experimental Study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of boron on the repair of osteochondral defect and also on some antioxidant and oxidant parameters of both cartilage tissue and blood. A total of 24 adult male Wistar rats weighing between 350 and 400 g were used in the study. Animals were randomly divided into control (n = 8), boron (n = 8) and hyaluronic acid (HA) groups (n = 8). Under general anesthesia, a cylindrical full-thickness osteochondral defect 1.5 mm in diameter and 2 mm in depth was formed using a drill on the anterior side of the articular surface of the femur condyle. Boron group received 0.1 ml (10 mg/kg) of boron and HA group received 0.1 ml of HA, whereas control group received 0.1 ml of physiological saline solution. All agents administered intraarticular route and once a week for four times. At the end of the third month, the animals were euthanized and blood and joint tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase levels were measured. Defected femoral condyles of the rats were removed for a histopathological examination. Histopathology revealed that the total cartilage repair score of the HA group was better than those detected in boron and control groups. Blood and articular cartilage GSH, SOD, and catalase levels were higher in the boron and HA groups as compared to the control group, while MDA level was lower compared to the control group. In conclusion, it was suggested that boron was not as effective as HA in the repair of osteochondral defect, but its antioxidant property was superior to HA.