Background/aims: Boron is used in manufacturing processes and numerous consumer products. Clarification of boron toxicity is important because of industrial and consumer exposure to boron and boron-containing compounds. The aim of this study was to observe effects of subacute boric acid administration on rat kidney tissue.
Materials and methods: A total of 96 male albino Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Seventy-two rats were selected for the experimental group and 24 rats constituted the control group. Experimental group rats were divided into three groups for exposure to three different doses of orally administered boric acid (100-275-400 mg/kg/day). Kidney tissues were removed at the 10th, 30th, and 45th day after sacrificing the rats. Kidney weights, kidney boron concentration and histopathological changes were determined.
Results: In the experimental group, a significant accumulation of boron in kidney tissue was seen, but there was a significant drop in boron concentration on the 45th day compared with the 30th day. Histopathological degenerative changes were observed especially in the proximal tubule cells that were dose- and time-dependent.
Conclusion: Subacute boric acid exposure caused dose-dependent histopathological changes in kidney tissue.