Dietary Boron Supplementation Enhanced the Action of Estrogen, But Not That of Parathyroid Hormone, to Improve Trabecular Bone Quality in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

This study investigated whether boron would enhance the ability of 17beta-estradiol (E2) or parathyroid hormone (PTH) to improve bone quality in ovariectomized OVX rats. Adult OVX rats were treated for 5 wk with vehicle, boron (5 ppm as boric acid), E2 (30 microg/kg/d, sc), PTH (60 microg/kg/d, sc), or a combination of boron and E2 or PTH, respectively. The E2 treatment corrected many adverse effects of OVX on bone quality, increased bone Ca, P, and Mg contents, and decreased trabecular plate separation. Dietary boron supplementation had no effects on these bone parameters in OVX rats. When OVX rats were treated with boron and E2 together, trabecular bone volume (Tb.BS/TV) and plate density were increased significantly more than that caused by E2 alone. The boron and E2 combination also increased trabecular bone surface (Tb.BV/TV) and decreased trabecular plate separation in OVX rats. In contrast, whereas daily PTH injection also increased bone Ca, Mg, and P contents, Tb.BV/TV, Tb.BS/TV, trabecular plate density and thickness, and decreased trabecular plate separation in OVX rats, the combination of boron and PTH had no additional improvement in bone quality over that achieved by PTH alone. In summary, this study shows for the first time that boron enhanced the action of E2, but not that of PTH, to improve trabecular bone quality in OVX rats.

Effect of Boron on Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

“…The level of B intake associated with weight gain in bone was about 3 mg/day [12], far below this limit. Sheng et al [13] discovered that B influenced factors that affect bone formation or turnover with nutritional amounts of B (5 mg or 0.46 mmol/kg) supplemented to a basal AIN-76 diet consisting of 0.3 mg/kg (28 mmol). It enhanced the beneficial effects of 17b-estradiol on trabecular bone volume and plate density in tibias of ovariectomized rats.…”

Short-term Administration of Water-soluble Silicon Improves Mineral Density of the Femur and Tibia in Ovariectomized Rats

“…Trace minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, and zinc are essential cofactors for enzymes involved in the synthesis of bone matrix constituents [5,6]. Fluoride [7] and boron [8] also prevent bone loss in OVX rats.…”

Manganese Supplementation Improves Mineral Density of the Spine and Femur and Serum Osteocalcin in Rats

“…postmenopausal women with osteoporosis potentially affecting the quality of life [1,2]. Bone is a type of mineralized connective tissue that contains macrominerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and trace minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, zinc, fluoride, and boron [3][4][5][6].…”