title: Evaluation of serum boron levels and lipid profile in pregnancies with or without gestational diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Animal research has demonstrated that boron has effects on triglycerides and glucose and may act as a metabolic regulator in several enzymatic systems. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent obstetrical complication and the lack of data on maternal status of boron in normal/diabetic pregnancies, prompted us to undertake this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maternal blood samples were collected during screening and diagnosis of GDM at 24-28 weeks. Serum lipids (total cholesterol, high-density cholesterol, low density cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein-a, apolipoprotein-A-I and apolipoprotein-B) and boron levels were determined. Fifteen non-GDM and 19 GDM women constituted the study population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 30.1±5 years. The median boron levels were 15.2 μg/L (0.0152 ppm; range, 8.4-25.4 μg/L). When GDM and non-GDM cases were compared for age, gravidity, parity, lipid profiles and serum boron levels, no significant differences were found (P>0.05). No correlation was found between lipids and boron levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study contributes to the limited information about the metabolic aspects of boron. Considering the evidence that boron acts as a regulator of energy substrate utilization, the effect of dietary boron on glucose metabolism deserves further research.
authors.affiliation: Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey. gamzesinem@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gamze S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Caglar
authors.forename: Gaye O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Cakal
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yüce
authors.forename: Recai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pabuccu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001895:Boron / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D001895:Boron