Türkez Hasan, Özdemir Tozlu Özlem, Yıldız Edanur, Saraçoğlu Melik, Baba Cem, Çınar Burak, Yıldırım Serkan, Kılıçlıoğlu Metin, Topkara Kübra Çelik, Çadırcı Kenan
Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Biol Trace Elem Res. 2024 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s12011-024-04489-7.
Ulexite (UX), a naturally occurring borate mineral, has gained interest for its diverse industrial applications, yet its toxicological profile remains inadequately characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the subacute toxicity of UX in rats, focusing on behavioral, hematological, and biochemical parameters. Rats were administered UX via gavage at doses of 10, 30, and 300 mg/kg for 7 days. No mortality or significant signs of toxicity were observed, although body weight measurements indicated a notable reduction in the UX-treated groups compared to controls. Behavioral assessments demonstrated increased exploratory activity in the 10 and 300 mg/kg UX treated groups, suggesting low anxiety levels. Likewise, hematological analysis revealed that 30 and 300 mg/kg UX led a significant (P < 0.001) increase in hematocrit and a decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P < 0.001), indicating potential changes in erythropoiesis. Additionally, serum biochemistry showed elevated aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.05), lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.001), and uric acid levels (P < 0.01), suggesting liver stress. Histopathological examinations indicated dose-dependent alterations, with mild hepatocellular degeneration and neuronal changes observed at the highest dose. Also, MN levels in the blood of rats exposed to 10 and 30 mg/kg UX showed no significant differences. These results suggest that UX is relatively safe at lower doses, though higher exposures may pose health risks. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying UX-induced effects and to evaluate its safety for therapeutic and occupational applications.
钠硼解石（UX）是一种天然存在的硼酸盐矿物，因其多样的工业应用而受到关注，但其毒理学特征仍未得到充分描述。本研究旨在评估钠硼解石对大鼠的亚急性毒性，重点关注行为、血液学和生化参数。大鼠通过灌胃给予剂量为10、30和300mg/kg的钠硼解石，持续7天。尽管体重测量表明与对照组相比，钠硼解石处理组体重显著降低，但未观察到死亡或明显的毒性迹象。行为评估表明，10mg/kg和300mg/kg钠硼解石处理组的探索活动增加，表明焦虑水平较低。同样，血液学分析显示，30mg/kg和300mg/kg钠硼解石导致血细胞比容显著增加（P<0.001），平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度降低（P<0.001），表明红细胞生成可能发生变化。此外，血清生化显示天冬氨酸转氨酶（P<0.05）、乳酸脱氢酶（P<0.001）和尿酸水平升高（P<0.01），提示肝脏应激。组织病理学检查表明存在剂量依赖性改变，在最高剂量下观察到轻度肝细胞变性和神经元变化。此外，暴露于10mg/kg和30mg/kg钠硼解石的大鼠血液中的微核水平无显著差异。这些结果表明，较低剂量的钠硼解石相对安全，尽管较高剂量的暴露可能会带来健康风险。有必要进一步研究以阐明钠硼解石诱导效应的潜在机制，并评估其在治疗和职业应用中的安全性。
