Experimental study on the estrogen-like effect of boric Acid

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2008 Feb;121(2):160-70. doi: 10.1007/s12011-007-8041-3. Epub 2007 Oct 18.

Abstract

There are now considerable evidences that boric acid has reproductive and developmental toxicity, but it is uncertain whether such toxicity is caused by estrogen-like effect. Our objective is to determine the estrogen-like effect of boric acid. Proliferation assay of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, uterotrophic assay, measure assay of the estradiol (E2), proliferation assay of mucous membrane cells, and assay of estrogen receptor were conducted in this study. Boric acid could increase the weight of uterus of ovariectomized SD rats and the height of epithelium cells of mucous membrane, enhance the expression of the proliferating cell nucleus antigen, and reduce the density of estrogen receptors. However, boric acid could not affect the level of estradiol in serum and stimulate the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. In this study, boric acid exhibited the estrogen-like effect in vivo.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Boric Acids / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Estrogens / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mucous Membrane / metabolism
  • Mucous Membrane / pathology
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Estrogen / biosynthesis
  • Uterus / metabolism*
  • Uterus / pathology

Substances

  • Boric Acids
  • Estrogens
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Estradiol
  • boric acid