Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines.

Boron possesses widespread properties in biochemistry and nutrition. Acute supplementation with 11.6 mg of boron resulted in a significant increase in plasma boron concentration. Given such a fast bioavailability, the objective was to determine whether acute (hourly or daily), and weekly supplementation could have any significant biological effects on the steroid hormones and further on some inflammatory biomarkers. Eight healthy male volunteers attended the laboratory on three occasions (days 0, 1 and 7). On the first day (day 0), a blood sample collection at 8.00 A.M was followed by ingestion of placebo with the breakfast. On the next day (supplementation-day 1), similar procedure was followed by ingestion of a capsule containing 10mg of boron. On both occasions blood was collected every 2h for the next 6h. Subjects were requested to consume a capsule of 10mg boron every day with their breakfast, and on the day 7, the blood collection was carried out at 8.00 A.M, again. Boron in plasma increased significantly following hours and weekly consumption. Six hours supplementation showed a significant decrease on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), high sensitive CRP (hsCRP) and TNF-α level. After one week (in samples taken at 8.00 A.M, only), the mean plasma free testosterone increased and the mean plasma estradiol decreased significantly. Dihydrotestosterone, cortisol and vitamin D was elevated. Also, concentrations of all three inflammatory biomarkers decreased after supplementation. Of note, despite decreased proinflammatory cytokines, based on recent clinical data, this must be the first human study report to show an increase level of free testosterone after boron consumption.

Effects of micro-amperage direct current stimulation on injury potential and its relation to wound surface area in guinea pig.

INTRODUCTION: it is believed that the exogenous electrical stimulation via improving the natural endogenous bioelectric current, accelerate the wound healing. Up to now, this hypotheses has not been researched in acute surgically wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine male guinea pigs were randomly divided into one control and two experimental groups (DC anodal group and DC cathodal group). A full thickness skin incision, length of 2.5 cm, was made on the dorsum of each animal The differential surface skin potential was measured before and immediately after the injury and also through the healing process until 21st days. RESULTS: Only in anodal group, there was not significant difference between the basal initial potential and the wound potential on days of 17, 19 and 21 (p>0.05). On days of 19 and 21, the wound potential decreased higher in anodal group than in control group (p<0.05). Wound surface area in two experimental groups decreased higher in 3rd weeks with respect to control group (p<0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Anodal micro-amperage direct current can accelerate bioelectric events of skin wound and return more rapidly the wound potential to its before injury natural level.