Biological Trace Element Research最新文献

{"title":"Roles of External Factors and Polygenic Susceptibility in Thyroid Nodules and Goiter Among Children Aged 8-10 Years in Iodine-adequate Areas of Northern China.","authors":"Yani Duan, Yang Wang, Fang Li, Wenfeng Li, Dandan Zhang, Yushan Cui","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05302-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05302-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thyroid nodules and goiter remain common conditions affecting healthy child development, attributable to diagnostic advances and environmental-genetic interactions. However, pediatric etiology research remains limited. A total of 997 children aged 8 to 10 years were recruited from iodine-adequate areas across 13 districts in Tianjin, China. Venous blood was collected for genotyping three single nucleotide polymorphisms (thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) rs2268458, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) rs2076735 and phosphodiesterase 8B (PDE8B) rs4704397) using Sequenom MassARRAY. Data on up to 30 potential external factors were also collected. The detection rates of thyroid nodules and goiter were 23.57% and 8.83%, respectively. Gender, higher body surface area (BSA) (Q4: >1.30 m²), and living in a multistory building increased thyroid nodules risk (P < 0.05). Older children had higher goiter risk (P = 0.001), whereas higher BSA (Q3: 1.18-1.30 m²; Q4: >1.30 m²) and mothers with stable jobs reduced goiter risk (P < 0.05). In genotype-stratified analyses, TSHR, TTF1, and PDE8B polymorphisms appeared to moderate associations between multiple external factors (gender, BSA, urinary iodine, stress, anxiety) and thyroid nodules or goiter (P < 0.05), although no significant gene-environment interactions were detected in the overall models. Notably, among children with specific genotypes, certain factors that were not statistically significant in the full multivariable model, including urinary iodine with thyroid nodules and stress and anxiety with goiter, showed substantially strengthened associations. Multiple external factors are associated with thyroid nodules and goiter in children. Polymorphisms in TSHR rs2268458, TTF1 rs2076735, and PDE8B rs4704397 may modulate the effects of various external factors on childhood thyroid nodules and goiter.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148757811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Size-Dependent Differences in the Effects of Low-Dose Selenium Nanoparticles on Chronic Thioacetamide Toxicosis Accompanying HCC Progression in Mice.","authors":"Anastasia A Abramova, Vladimir V Rogachev, Ilya V Baimler, Sergey V Gudkov, Elena G Varlamova","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05288-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-026-05288-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent decades, selenium nanoparticles have attracted increasing attention as therapeutic agents for the treatment of various types of cancer. However, at certain physicochemical parameters and dosages, they can have a toxic effect or exacerbate pathological processes caused by the toxin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low doses of spherical selenium nanoparticles of two sizes (50 and 100 nm), produced by laser ablation, on the mitigation of pathological processes caused by long-term injections of thioacetamide. The practical significance of this study is to understand the therapeutic value of taking dietary supplements based on selenium nanoparticles for the prevention of various liver pathologies, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma. To this end, we selected the well-known toxin thioacetamide as an HCC inducer. We administered it intraperitoneally to animals, followed by injections of 50-100 nm selenium nanoparticles. In this study, we used ultra-low concentrations of selenium nanoparticles (1 ng/g per day) with the aim of using these nanoparticles for the prevention of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The results obtained in this study demonstrate a size-dependent divergence in the biological behavior of the nanoparticles: 50 nm nanoparticles failed to inhibit tumor growth and, on the contrary, exacerbated pathological processes in the liver, kidneys, and lungs across several parameters, while 100 nm selenium nanoparticles, conversely, demonstrated a powerful therapeutic effect. This paradox is confirmed at all levels: organ, tissue, and cellular. The molecular mechanisms regulating these processes using 50 and 100 nm selenium nanoparticles are also presented.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148721000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protective Effects of Metformin and Memantine Against Arsenic-Induced Neurotoxicity: Insights from In-Silico and In-Vivo Studies.","authors":"Noor Ul Huda Khola, Mahnoor Hayat, Imtisal Muzaffar, Touqeer Ahmed","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05296-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05296-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Arsenic (As) is an environmental neurotoxicant that induces oxidative stress and cognitive impairment. There are limited therapeutic options to treat As-induced neurotoxicity. This study investigated the potential for repurposing metformin (Met) and memantine (Mem) use alone, and in combination to mitigate As-induced neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups of ten each: Group I (control) received normal feed and water, group II- Sodium arsenite (20 mg/kg), group III- Sodium arsenite (20 mg/kg) + Met (75 mg/kg), group IV- Sodium arsenite (20 mg/kg) + Mem (10 mg/kg), and group V- Sodium arsenite (20 mg/kg) + Met (75 mg/kg) + Mem 10 mg/kg), all administered p.o. for 28 days. At the end of drugs treatment, several behavioral, biochemical, and histological evaluations were performed. Results showed that all drug-treated groups demonstrated enhanced spatial and recognition memory as evidenced by increased spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze task and decreased escape latencies in the Morris Water Maze test. In both behaviors, the combination group showed the best results, followed closely by the Mem alone group. All treatment groups, especially the combination, showed the best results by restoring the activity of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in the cortex and hippocampus. Histological examination to study cellular preservation demonstrated that Mem alone treated group showed better results. Network pharmacology identified 66 intersecting targets; molecular docking indicated that Mem and Met had the strongest affinity for MMP9 and BDNF, respectively. All hub genes showed better binding affinities with Mem as compared to Met. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Met and Mem improved learning and memory, reduced oxidative stress, and restored cellular density. Further validation to repurpose Met and Mem for their use against As-induced neurotoxicity can be done so that they can be used in human beings in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148759898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retraction Note: Zinc Deficiency Causes Glomerulosclerosis and Renal Interstitial Fibrosis Through Oxidative Stress and Increased Lactate Metabolism in Rats.","authors":"Zixuan Huang, Yajie Liao, Yunxi Zheng, Shang Ye, Qianyu Zhang, Xiaohong Yu, Xiaoxin Liu, Ningxu Li","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05294-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05294-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148764944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blood Radon Activity and Model-Derived Uranium Estimates in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients from Southern Iraq.","authors":"Azhar S Alaboodi, Shaymaa Awad Kadhim, Kamran Heydaryan","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05284-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05284-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Uranium is a naturally occurring trace element with established radiological and chemical toxicity, yet its blood burden in patients with cancer remains poorly characterized. This exploratory cross-sectional study used radon^-222 as a tracer to derive model-based uranium estimates in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and healthy controls from southern Iraq, a region with documented elevated environmental radioactivity. Blood samples were collected from 78 patients with histologically confirmed GI cancer (39 females and 39 males) and 58 healthy controls (29 females and 29 males) at the National Oncology and Hematology Hospital, Najaf. CR-39 poly(allyl diglycol carbonate) solid-state nuclear track detectors were sealed with blood samples for 90 days. Track densities were quantified using TASLIMAGE automated analysis, and radon concentrations were calculated using an experimentally established calibration factor (0.048 tracks cm^-2 Bq^-1 m³ d). Model-based uranium estimates were derived assuming secular equilibrium between uranium-238 and radon^-222. Daily alpha-particle flux, annual effective dose, and excess lifetime cancer risk were calculated according to ICRP Publications 103 and 119. Group differences were evaluated using Levene-corrected independent-samples t-tests, and effect sizes were quantified using Cohen's d. Mean estimated blood uranium concentrations were higher in male patients than male controls (15.48 ± 5.16 vs. 10.17 ± 3.39 parts per billion (ppb)) and in female patients than female controls. Correspondingly, mean blood radon concentrations were higher in patients (males: 3.99 ± 1.50 vs. 2.62 ± 0.80 Bq m^-3; females: 3.21 ± 1.07 vs. 2.31 ± 0.77 Bq m^-3). Excess lifetime cancer risk remained well below the ICRP reference level in all groups (1.10 × 10^-7 for male patients and 8.82 × 10^-8 for female patients). Although between-group differences were not statistically significant (males: p = 0.275; females: p = 0.187), the observed effect sizes were large (Cohen's d = 1.10 for male radon), suggesting that the study may have been underpowered to detect statistically significant differences. These findings indicate consistently higher model-based uranium estimates in patients with GI cancer than in healthy controls. However, because uranium concentrations were estimated indirectly using a model-based approach and the study employed a cross-sectional design, no causal relationship between uranium exposure and GI cancer can be inferred. Further studies with larger cohorts and direct uranium measurements using ICP-MS are warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148764540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Antibacterial to Antifungal: Structure, Safety, and Serum Albumin Binding of Zn(II)-Nalidixate Complexes with Phenanthroline and Bipyridine.","authors":"Nancy Martini, Juliana E Parente, Rocío B Marinich, Juan J Martínez Medina, G A Echeverría, O E Piro, Patricia A M Williams, Evelina G Ferrer","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05286-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-026-05286-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nalidixic acid (Nal) is a quinolone antibiotic with activity against Gram-negative bacteria and is used to treat urinary tract infections caused by microorganisms belonging to the genera Escherichia, Proteus, Shigella, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella. The complexation of this molecule with zinc and auxiliary ligands such as phenanthroline (Phen) and 2,2'-bipyridine (Bipy) could modify its pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties. This work presents the synthesis and characterization of the ZnNal complex ([Zn(Nal)₂(H₂O)₂]·2MeOH). Its molecular structure in the solid state was determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with Z = 2 molecules per unit cell. In the solid state, the nalidixic acid (Nal) molecule appears as its anionic form (Nal⁻), deprotonated in the carboxyl group. The complex is centrosymmetric, with the Zn(II) ion at the center of a slightly elongated octahedral geometry, equatorially coordinated to a bidentate nalidixate anion and axially to a water molecule. The study includes the evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the binary complex and its derivatives with phenanthroline (ZnNalPhen) and bipyridine (ZnNalBipy) against both ATCC strains and clinical isolates. Additionally, compound safety was assessed using the Artemia salina model. ZnNal preserves the antimicrobial potency of the free ligand while exhibiting attenuated toxicity in this model, suggesting a more favorable biocompatibility profile for potential therapeutic applications. Notably, ZnNalPhen was the only complex active against Candida strains, highlighting that coordination with 1,10-phenanthroline expanded the antimicrobial spectrum of the parent ligand Nal to include antifungal activity. Furthermore, both ternary complexes showed an improved safety profile compared to Nal alone. Besides, zinc(II) complexes can be efficiently transported by albumin, which is a key factor in their potential therapeutic application.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148721455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potentially Toxic Element (PTE) Contamination in Raw Cow Milk: Insights into Concentration Levels and Dietary Exposure Risk Assessment.","authors":"Hiwa Mohammad Qadr","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05300-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-026-05300-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Raw cow milk serves as a critical nutritional resource yet may simultaneously act as a vehicle for toxic element exposure, particularly in regions where livestock management practices increase contamination risk. This study investigated the concentrations of six potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb), in raw cow milk collected from 40 sites across Ranya district, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Samples were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, and human health risks were assessed through estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) metrics across three age groups: adults, children, and infants. Detected metal concentrations followed a descending order of Zn > Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd. Several metals, including Fe, Cu, and Pb, exceeded permissible thresholds. Health risk evaluation revealed that while mean THQ and HI values for adults and children remained within acceptable boundaries, infants exhibited mean HI values surpassing the safety threshold of 1.0, indicating a genuine cumulative non-carcinogenic risk. Carcinogenic risk assessment identified Ni as the predominant concern, with CR values exceeding acceptable limits across all age groups, most markedly in infants. The elevated contamination levels observed are attributable largely to the practice of grazing livestock on unmanaged pastures and allowing consumption of water from natural, untreated sources. These findings underscore the necessity of continuous PTE surveillance in raw dairy products and the implementation of targeted public health interventions to safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly infants, within the study region.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148720743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Boron Intake and 24-hour Urinary Excretion in Long-term Omnivores, Vegetarians and Vegans: a Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Frieda Stübing, Stefanie Kowarschik, Christian Koeder, Johanna Dürrschnabel, Roman Huber, Maximilian Andreas Storz","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05297-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05297-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The trace element boron is a bioactive and potentially essential element for humans with a broad range of physiological effects. While dietary sources of boron are well known, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding boron intake in special dietary patterns. We estimated dietary boron intake and quantified urinary boron excretion in long-term lacto-ovo-vegetarians, vegans and omnivores in Germany. Dietary intake was estimated using weighed food diaries linked to existing databases. Boron excretion was measured using 24-hour urine samples. Differences between diet groups were compared using non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis H test). The sample included 89 participants, including 28 lacto-ovo-vegetarians and 29 vegans. Vegans had the highest median boron intake (1913.38 (interquartile range: 1467.11-2615.14) µg/d), followed by lacto-ovo-vegetarians (1654.36 (1249.75-2366.01) µg/d) and omnivores (1515.35 (944.33-2067.52) µg/d). Interindividual boron intake varied largely, and ranged from 657.09 to 5835.74 µg/d. No participant exceeded the European Food Safety Authority tolerable upper intake level for boron (10 mg/day). Creatinine-corrected urinary boron excretion was highest in vegans (1559.20 (1150.62-2057.23) µg/g creatinine), followed by lacto-ovo-vegetarians (1235.40 (877.96-1814.61) µg/g creatinine) and omnivores (919.34 (639.18-1380.97) µg/g creatinine). Strong correlations between boron intakes and 24-hour urinary excretion were found in vegans (r = 0.79) and omnivores (r = 0.74) with p-values < 0.001 for both. The correlation in lacto-ovo-vegetarians was less pronounced (r = 0.43). A higher urinary boron excretion was associated with a higher excretion of potassium in all dietary patterns and specifically phosphorus in vegans (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Our data suggest that boron intake varies across different dietary patterns. We provide first insights in boron status in German lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute Changes in Trace Elements and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Coronary Angiography for Suspected or Known Coronary Artery Disease.","authors":"Besra Özmen Yelken, Servet Kavak, Ebru Turhan, Mustafa Bilici, Zeynep Yapan Emren, Zekeriya Düzgün","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05290-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05290-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with increased oxidative stress and a high burden of cardiovascular disease. Coronary angiography introduces several potential physiological influences, including contrast exposure, vascular manipulation, fasting, and peri-procedural fluid administration. However, short-term changes in circulating trace elements and antioxidant biomarkers after the procedure remain insufficiently characterized. Because these factors were not examined separately in the present study, any observed pre-post differences were interpreted as associations rather than proof of contrast-induced vascular injury.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present study aimed to evaluate acute pre- and post-procedural changes in circulating trace elements and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with T2DM undergoing coronary angiography for suspected or known CAD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty patients with T2DM undergoing coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled. Serum Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Pb were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, and serum GSH and MDA were assessed spectrophotometrically. Analyte-specific paired comparisons included 25 participants for trace elements, 22 for GSH, and 21 for MDA. Serum trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb) are reported in mg/L, GSH in µmol/g protein, and MDA in µmol/L. Blood samples were collected immediately before and immediately after the angiographic procedure; a fixed, standardized post-procedural time interval in minutes was not recorded in the study database.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Post-procedural measurements showed reductions in circulating Cu (- 15.4%, unadjusted p = 0.009) and Zn (- 32.5%, p < 0.001) and an increase in serum GSH (+ 98.6%, p < 0.001). No statistically significant pre-post differences were observed for Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb, or MDA. After correction for eight biomarker comparisons, the Zn and GSH findings remained statistically significant, whereas the Cu finding did not meet the Bonferroni-adjusted threshold of p < 0.00625. These observations describe short-term circulating biomarker changes but do not establish a specific mechanism or isolate the effects of contrast exposure from other procedural factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this exploratory paired study, coronary angiography was associated with short-term changes in circulating Zn and GSH in patients with T2DM; the Cu finding did not remain significant after conservative correction for multiple comparisons. The absence of a comparator group and the potential effects of sampling time, hemolysis, hydration, hemodilution, and other procedural factors preclude causal or mechanistic conclusions. Larger controlled studies are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Boron as a Context-Dependent System-Level Modulator: Mechanisms and Implications in Chronic Diseases.","authors":"Mehmet Tuzcu, Ramazan Ozmen, Shakir Ali, Kazim Sahin","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05298-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05298-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Boron is a biologically active trace element essential to plants and is increasingly recognized as a potentially important modulator of human physiology. This critical narrative review evaluates evidence concerning mineral metabolism, endocrine-related pathways, redox balance, immune signaling, neurological function, cardiometabolic health, osteoarticular disorders, host-microbiome interactions, and boron-containing pharmaceuticals. Boron's Lewis acid properties and its ability to form reversible complexes with cis-diol-containing biomolecules provide a plausible basis for its broad biological effects, including interactions with NAD⁺- and S-adenosylmethionine-related pathways, membrane-associated glycoconjugates, and inflammatory signaling networks. Experimental and limited clinical studies suggest that boron intake at the doses evaluated may influence bone mineralization, vitamin D metabolism, selected endocrine-related biomarkers, antioxidant defense, and inflammatory homeostasis. In parallel, boron-containing compounds have emerged as valuable pharmacological scaffolds, as illustrated by boron-based agents used in oncology, dermatology, infectious disease, and boron neutron capture therapy. However, despite promising mechanistic and translational findings, evidence for boron's strict essentiality in humans remains limited, and no indispensable boron-dependent human pathway has yet been established. Recent concepts, such as conditional essentiality, suggest that boron may become biologically relevant in specific nutritional, metabolic, inflammatory, skeletal, or microbiome-related contexts. Nevertheless, small sample sizes, short intervention periods, heterogeneous formulations, and reliance on surrogate endpoints continue to constrain clinical interpretation. Future studies require speciation-resolved dosing, pharmacokinetic monitoring, adequately powered randomized designs, long-term safety assessment, and clinically meaningful outcomes. Overall, boron represents a promising but incompletely defined trace element at the intersection of nutrition, immunometabolism, host-microbiome biology, and therapeutic drug design.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148705188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}