Research Information System
WEST INDIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL, pp.1-14, 2016 (SCI-Expanded)
ABSTRACT
Objective: Boron is an essential metalloid which plays a key role in plants and animals
metabolisms. In the last few years boron compounds became increasingly more frequent in
some hematological diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of borax as a
boron source on hematological parameters and immunoglobulin (Ig) values in the rats.
Methods: In a prospective controlled study, we used two groups, consisting of each 16
healthy Wistar rats. Borax was given by adding to drinking water (704 mg/L) to borax group
for a period of 28 days.
Results: It was found that the decrease the white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin
(HGB), hematocrit (Htc), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet count (PLT) in borax group male
rats. Likewise, a significant decrease in lymphocyte (L), neutrophil (N), monocyte (M) and
basophil (B) counts were detected in this group. When female rats were eveluated, it was
found that the significant decrease the WBC, HGB, Htc, RBC, PLT and M count in borax
group. On the other hand, MCV was increased in this group. Additionaly, while there was no
significant difference between borax and control groups in terms of IgG, IgM and IgA values
of the male rats, it was found that the statistically significant increase the IgG value in borax
group female rats.
Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that supplemental borax had significant effects
on hematological parameters of male and female rats, and did not affect immun function of
rats only except female rats IgG values.