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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #171397
Title: EVIDENCE FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF DIETARY BORON IN B10.T(6R) MICE INJECTED WITH COLLAGEN, AN ANIMAL MODEL OF POLYARTHRITIS

Author
item DURICK, KELLY - UNIV OF NORTH DAKOTA
item Hunt, Curtiss
item BRADLEY, DAVID - UNIV OF NORTH DAKOTA

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2004
Publication Date: 3/4/2005
Citation: Durick, K.A., Hunt, C., Bradley, D. 2005. Evidence for anti-inflammatory properties of dietary boron in collagen-immunized B10.T(6R), an animal model of polyarthritis [abstract]. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal. 19(4):A915.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Boron (B), a natural component of all human diets, has been used historically as an anti-inflammatory agent in Germany and as a treatment for arthritis in India. However, little is known about the mechanism of B in immunoregulation. We present evidence here that dietary B supplementation (1) prevents the onset of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA; an animal model of polyarthritis similar to human rheumatoid arthritis, RA); and (2) ameliorates established clinical CIA. CIA-susceptible B10.T(6R) mice were weaned onto a commercial rodent chow (CRC) or onto one of three ground corn, high protein casein, corn oil-based diets that were nutritionally replete (except for B, ~0.04 mg B/kg diet) and supplemented with 0 (inadequate; B-); 2 (adequate; B+); or 12 (supra-adequate; B++) mg B/kg diet. The incidence of arthritis was significantly higher in the B- group, compared to the B+ and B++ groups, 53.8%, 29.4%, and 12.5% respectively. To investigate the therapeutic potential of B, CIA was induced in mice maintained on CRC. At the onset of clinical arthritis, mice were randomly switched to B+ or B- diets, or maintained on CRC. The arthritis in both CRC and B- groups continued to worsen. However, arthritis in the B+ group ameliorated with several mice showings signs of recovery, as indicated by clearance of inflammation. Thus, we provide evidence that dietary boron may provide a successful alternative therapy for RA and perhaps other inflammatory diseases.