Evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of boric acid in an experimental model of sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a condition commonly observed in individuals over the age of 65, which can lead to severe falls, dependency, and a decline in quality of life. Despite the severity and prevalence of sarcopenia, an ideal therapeutic approach has not yet been established. This study investigated the use of boric acid as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of sarcopenia. Boric acid is known to play significant roles in cellular metabolism and has been shown in previous studies to improve antioxidant defense mechanisms and reduce oxidative damage. This research aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of boric acid as a novel therapeutic approach for sarcopenia. The study involved 42 female Sprague dawley rats aged five months. For four months, the rats were administered subcutaneous injections of D-galactose at a dose of 400 mg/kg. Following the model induction period, predetermined experimental groups were provided with clean drinking water containing various concentrations of boric acid (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 mg/L) for two months. On days 112, 140, and 168 of the study, physiological performance tests, including treadmill and grid tests, were conducted. According to the results of these performance tests, no significant improvement in muscle strength was observed in the animals, suggesting that the tests might have been insufficient for accurately measuring muscle strength. However, evaluations conducted using MRI techniques revealed that the intake of boric acid through drinking water increased muscle volume in a dose-dependent manner. These findings were further supported by histopathological evaluations and changes in serum creatinine levels. This thesis study is expected to pave the way for boric acid-based therapeutic approaches for individuals suffering from sarcopenia.