Dose and Time Dependent Effects of Boron Exposure on Serum Levels and Histopathological Changes in Rats

Boron, a bioactive trace element, has attracted attention in the field of health in recent years. The recommended amounts of these substances have been demonstrated to play a role in a variety of physiological functions. Nevertheless, the potential consequences and toxicity arising from excess boron remain to be fully elucidated. Its increasing areas of use give rise to concerns about exposure-related excess. The objective of this study was to ascertain the potential consequences of boron exposure in rats across a range of doses and durations. In the present study, a total of 119 female rats were divided into 17 groups and administered 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg borax via gavage for 7, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. The analyses encompassed blood boron concentrations, body weight% changes, and histopathological findings in select organs. The measurement of boron was conducted on blood samples extracted from the rats utilising ICP-MS. Furthermore, live weight% changes were calculated from the weights at the beginning and end of the study. Histopathological examinations were performed on liver and kidney tissues obtained. The findings of this study indicate that serum boron concentrations and body weight change percentages, in particular, are significantly influenced by the duration and dose of boron exposure. However, it was determined that the majority of the histopathological changes did not consistently correlate with dose or duration, suggesting complex or threshold-dependent mechanisms. This study indicates that boron may have certain undesirable effects on the body, particularly at increasing doses. Therefore, the issue of boron exposure in living organisms requires more detailed studies. It is thought that the results obtained when studies are reduced to the gene level will be of great importance for human and animal health.