RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The boron and fluoride mainly accumulate in the bones and teeth of the human body. The purpose of this study is to determine boron or fluoride levels in the whole tooth, to evaluate the correlation between their levels and to compare these levels in primary/permanent, carious, and non-carious groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The boron and fluoride levels of thirty-six teeth, separated such as primary carious (n=9) and non-carious (n=9), permanent carious (n=9) and non-carious (n=9), were determined by ICP-MS and ion-selective electrode, respectively. RESULTS: While boron levels were between 0.001 and 5.88 ppm, the fluoride levels were between 21.24 and 449.22 ppm. The boron level of non-carious teeth was higher than those of carious teeth in primary and permanent tooth groups. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The fluoride level of non-carious teeth was higher than those of carious teeth in primary (p=0.062) and permanent teeth groups (p=0.046). Negative correlation, found between boron and fluoride in all groups, was significant only in non-carious teeth group (r=-0.488, p=0.040). CONCLUSION: The results of our study proved the importance of fluoride as a protective factor for dental caries once more. The boron levels in non-carious teeth were also higher than carious teeth. However, it was not significant. Moreover, there was negative correlation between teeth boron and fluoride levels. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct more detailed studies on the tooth boron level and its relation with caries formation and with fluoride levels.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Boron is an element commonly found in nature. The main boron source for organisms is through food and drinking water. In recent years, it is suggested that the "boron-rich diet" can affect human health positively. However, more detailed studies are needed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of increased dietary boron intake on some biochemical parameters in humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen healthy women consumed diets containing 10 mg more boron than their routine diet for one month. This boron intake was provided with the increase of boron-rich foods such as dried fruits, avocado, and nuts in the diet. Some biochemical and hematologic parameters were determined in blood, urine and saliva samples taken before and after a boron-rich diet. RESULTS: Serum, salivary, and urine boron concentrations increased 1.3, 1.7, 6.0 fold, respectively. The most significant clinically change was found in the lipid profile. Serum total, LDL, VLDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decreased significantly. Body weight, body fat weight, and Body Mass Index also decreased. Significant changes in serum TSH and salivary buffering capacity were also found. CONCLUSION: Increasing the intake of boron through dietary means might contribute to beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, obesity, and thyroid metabolism; salivary boron may reflect serum boron; and boron may be used as a cariostatic agent in dentistry. An increased intake of other dietary factors such as fiber, potassium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin E in the boron-rich foods might have been responsible of the effects described. To our knowledge, this study is the first clinical study in which dietary boron intake is increased via foods.
