The Effect of Boric Acid on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Embryonic and Fetal Tissues Damage Caused by Consumption of High-Fructose Corn Syrup in Pregnant Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the protective role of boric acid in a pregnant rat model of high fructose corn syrup consumption. Consumption of high fructose corn syrup has been associated with adverse health outcomes in humans and animals. Twenty-eight healthy female Wistar albino rats (250-300 g weight and 16-24 weeks old) were randomly distributed into four equal groups (n = 7): Control, Boric acid (BA), High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), HFCS + BA. Boric acid (20 mg/kg) was administered to pregnant rats via oral gavage every day during pregnancy. The prepared 30% HFCS (F30) solution (24% fructose, 28% dextrose) was added to the drinking water throughout pregnancy. At the end of pregnancy (day 19), blood, placenta, uterus, and fetuses were collected from rats. The results indicated that HFCS increases oxidative stress by increasing the level of MDA and decreasing GSH, SOD, and CAT activity in the blood of maternal. However, BA administration significantly decreased MDA levels and increased GSH levels, SOD, and CAT activity (p < 0.05). In addition, HFCS consumption significantly increased plasma TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin levels compared to control, BA, and HFCS + BA groups (p < 0.05). However, BA administration significantly decreased plasma TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BA (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased HFCS-induced histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations in the placenta, uterus, and fetal tissue. In conclusion, BA may prevent HFCS toxicity in maternal and fetal tissues, as it regulates oxidative imbalance in pregnant rat and alleviates histopathological and immunohistochemical changes. The findings indicate a need for further studies to assess the potential of boron in preventing or mitigating the effects of HFCS during pregnancy.

Keywords: Boric acid; High fructose corn syrup; Inflammation; Oxidative stress; Rat.

Fig. 1

Effects of BA on whole blood MDA (A), GSH (B) levels and erythrocyte homogenate SOD (C), CAT (D) enzyme activities in HFCS-induced pregnant rats. BA: Boric acid; HFCS: High Fructose Corn Syrup; MDA: Malondialdehyde; GSH: Glutathione; SOD: Superoxide Dismutase; CAT: Catalase. ^{a, b, c}: Different letters in the same column were statistically significant, p < 0.05

Fig. 2

Effects of BA on plasma TNF-α (A), IL-6 (B), and leptin (C) levels in HFCS-induced pregnant rats. BA: Boric acid; HFCS: High Fructose Corn Syrup; TNF-α: Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha; IL-6: Interleukin-6. ^{a, b, c}: Different letters in the same column were statistically significant, p < 0.05

Fig. 3

Histopathological appearance of the uterus (upper row) and placental tissues (below row) between the groups. (A) Normal tissue histology in the control group. (B) Marked inflammatory cell infiltrations (arrows) in uterus the and severe hemorrhage in placental tissue (arrows) in the HFCS group. (C) Decreased pathological findings in HFCS + BA group. (D) No lesions in BA group, HE, Scale Bars = 50 μm. BA: Boric acid; HFCS: High Fructose Corn Syrup

Fig. 4

Histopathological appearance of the fetal tissues (brain cortex first row; liver second row; kidney third row and lungs fourth row) between the groups. (A) Normal tissue histology in the control group. (B) Marked hyperemia and hemorrhage (arrows) in the HFCS group. (C) Decreased pathological findings in the HFCS + BA group. (D) No lesions in BA group, HE, Scale Bars = 50 μm. BA: Boric acid; HFCS: High Fructose Corn Syrup

Fig. 5

Representative caspase-3 immunohistochemical findings in the uterus (upper row) and placental tissues (below row) among the groups. (A) Negative expressions in the control group. (B) Marked increase in expressions (arrows) in the HFCS group. (C) Almost negative expressions in the HFCS + BA group. (D) No expression in the BA group, Streptavidin Biotin Peroxidase Method, Scale Bars = 50 μm. BA: Boric acid; HFCS: High Fructose Corn Syrup

Fig. 6

Cas-3 immunohistochemistry results in the fetal tissues (brain cortex, first row; liver, second row; kidney, third row and lungs, fourth row) between the groups. (A) No expressions in the control group. (B) Severe increase in expressions (arrows) in the HFCS group. (C) Decreased expressions in the HFCS + BA group. (D) Negative expression in the BA group, Streptavidin Biotin Peroxidase Method, Scale Bars = 50 μm. BA: Boric acid; HFCS: High Fructose Corn Syrup