Abstract

Background. Recent evidence indicates that boron has a widespread role in biochemistry and nutrition and may have anti-carcinogenic properties. It interacts with calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which are all important in bone metabolism. Boron also increases steroid hormone concentrations in animals and humans and hints at a role in the prevention of chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis and other steroid hormone dependent diseases. It has been suggested that the interaction between boron and steroid hormone metabolism is mediated by the hydroxylation process that steroids need to be biologically active. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of boron supplementation on the selected steroid hormone productions or steroidogenesis. Methods. The experimental design consisted of two trials, in two different occasions. Seven healthy male volunteers in one group and another nine healthy male volunteers in the second group consumed two tablets each containing 5 mg of boron per day and blood samples were collected prior to supplementation and after 4 and 8 weeks. Results. The mean total testosterone concentrations increased after supplementations. The mean plasma 17-B oestradiol concentrations increased significantly after 4 weeks (p = 0.009) and 8 weeks (p = 0.05) supplementations. The ratio of 17-B oestradiol to testosterone increased significantly (p = 0.01) after 4 weeks supplementation. Conclusions. It can be speculated that the elevation of endogenous oestrogen as a result of boron supplementation suggests a potential protective role for boron in preventing a number of clinical conditions or chronic diseases, with emphasis in animals or humans who are under stress conditions, which requires further studies and clarifications. © 2008 Informa UK Ltd.