J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2012 Jun;26(2-3):157-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2012.03.014. Epub 2012 Jun 2.
This review summarizes the progress made in establishing essential roles for boron in human 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 but the nature of boron biochemistry suggests further characterization of the cell signaling molecules capable of complexing with boron. Such characterization may provide insights into the biochemical function(s) of boron in humans.
这篇综述总结了硼在人体生理学中确立基本作用的进展，并根据元素必需性的标准来评估这一进展。迄今为止的证据表明，人类和至少一些高等动物可能利用硼来支持正常的生物学功能。这些功能包括钙代谢、骨骼生长和维持、胰岛素代谢以及生命周期的完成。负责这些影响的生化机制还不太清楚，但硼生化的性质表明需要进一步研究能够与硼络合的细胞信号分子。这种特征分析可能为了解硼在人类中的生化功能提供线索。
