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.
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