Affiliations: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health,
Baqiyatallah (a.s.) University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine,
Baqiyatallah (a.s.) University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical
Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Mohammad Reza Naghii, No. 25,
Bankmelli Alley, South Madjidieh St., Tehran, Iran, P/C 16336-54696. E-mail:
naghiimr@yahoo.com
Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to consider the effects
of boron (B) and calcium (Ca) supplementation on mechanical properties of bone
tissues and mineral content of the selected bones in rats. Methods: Adult
male Sprague Dawley rats underwent three different treatments with boron and
calcium in their drinking water, while taking diet ad libitum for 4 weeks. Rats
in the three treatment groups received 2 mg B/d, 300 mg Ca/d, and a combination
of 2 mg B+ 300 mg Ca/d, respectively. After the experimental period body
weights were recorded and bone mechanical properties were determined on the
tibiae, femurs, and fifth lumbar vertebral bones and the mineral contents of
these bones was calculated as the ash percentage. Results: Better
measurement of bone mechanical properties were observed for boron
supplementation. The stiffness of the lumbar vertebral bones tended to increase
in all groups and was significant for Ca supplementation. The significant
maximal load obtained for boron in all bones indicates higher strength and less
strength for apparently a high level of calcium, while this negative defect in
the case of lumbar vertebral bones was corrected in the presence of boron.
Highest mean energy to maximal load was shown with boron supplementation,
demonstrating significant values with Ca group, and lower energy for the lumbar
vertebral bones in Ca group in comparison with the controls. Less deformation
at the yield points was shown in Ca group. There were no significant
differences in ash weights among the four groups. Conclusions: Additional
and longer studies are warranted to further determine the effects of
supplemental boron with different calcium levels and possibly other minerals
involved in bone mechanical properties in rats.
Keywords: Boron, calcium, supplementation, mechanical properties of bones, rats
Journal: BioFactors, vol. 28, no. 3-4, pp. 195-201, 2006
