The effects of different boron doses on digestion degree and carriers of raw nutritional materials in rats

Boron (B), an essential trace element, has a important role in hormone metabolism, bone development, antioxidant defense system, wound healing, energy metabolism and immune system. Boric acid, sodium borate, potassium borate and zinc borate are the leading boron compounds used in research in recent years. This study was carried out to determine the effects of sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT) on the nutrient digestibility and expression of nutrient tarnsporters (PepT1, SGLT1, GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT5, FATP1) in rats. A total of 40 Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups: i) Control ii) SPT 0.5 (0.5 mg elemental boron (B) / kg), iii) SPT 1 (1 mg elemental B/ kg), iv) SPT 2 (2 mg elemental B / kg). The trial lasted 4 weeks. At the end of the study, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude oil, crude ash and organic matter were determined. Then, the mRNA expression levels of PepT1, SGLT1, GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT5 and FATP1 proteins in the jejunum and duodenum were determined using the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. When compared with the control group, it was determined that different SPT doses did not affect the nutrient digestibility (p>0.05). In addition, no effect of SPT on PepT1, SGLT1, GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT5 and FATP1 expression levels was determined (p>0.05). In conclusion, it was reported that different boron doses in SPT form used in this study did not have a significant effect on nutrient digestibility and small intestine expression levels of PepT1, SGLT1, GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT5 and FATP1 in rats.