Author
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Hunt, Curtiss |
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Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2006 Publication Date: 12/1/2006 Citation: Hunt, C. 2006. Dietary boron: Progress in establishing essential roles in human and animal physiology. In: Guyaguler, T., Karakas, S., Ozdemir, Z., Karakas, A., Bukulmez, A., Sonmezer, O., editors. Proceedings of 3rd International Boron Symposium, November 2-4, 2006, Ankara, Turkey. p.3-10. Interpretive Summary: This review summarizes the progress made in establishing essential roles for boron in human and animal physiology and assesses that progress in view of criteria for essentiality of elements. The evidence to date suggests that humans and at least some higher animals may use boron to support normal biological functions. These include roles in calcium metabolism, bone growth and maintenance, insulin metabolism, and completion of the life cycle. The biochemical mechanisms responsible for these effects are poorly understood. However, the nature of boron biochemistry suggests specific lines of investigation. In particular, further characterization of the cell signalling molecules capable of complexing with boron should provide insights into the specific biochemical function(s) of boron in humans. Technical Abstract: This review summarizes the progress made in establishing essential roles for boron in human and animal physiology and assesses that progress in view of criteria for essentiality of elements. The evidence to date suggests that humans and at least some higher animals may use boron to support normal biological functions. These include roles in calcium metabolism, bone growth and maintenance, insulin metabolism, and completion of the life cycle. The biochemical mechanisms responsible for these effects are poorly understood. However, the nature of boron biochemistry suggests specific lines of investigation. In particular, further characterization of the cell signalling molecules capable of complexing with boron should provide insights into the specific biochemical function(s) of boron in humans. |
