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Boron supplementation and activated factor VII in healthy men

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 56, pages 1102–1107 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine whether postprandial concentrations of the active component of serine protease coagulation factor VII (VIIa) were lowered by acute boron supplementation in vivo.

Design: An acute, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, cross-over study.

Setting: Free-living population.

Subjects: Fifteen apparently healthy men, aged 45–65 y.

Interventions: Subjects visited the centre on two occasions, with the study days separated by a minimum of 2 weeks. Following collection of a fasting blood sample, subjects received either placebo or acute bolus of 11.6 mg boron (given as 102.6 mg sodium tetraborate decahydrate) together with a standard fat-rich meal. Blood samples were obtained at 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after the administration of the test meal, during which time subjects were at liberty to consume deionized water only. Blood samples were assayed for concentrations of insulin, glucose, lipids and boron. Measurement of the concentration of activated factor VIIa and of factor VII antigen, and of the activity of coagulation factors VII, IX and X was also carried out.

Results: Plasma boron concentrations were significantly higher following consumption of the boron supplement compared with placebo (0.124±0.02 vs 0.008±0.01 mg/l; P≤0.001). There was no significant effect of acute boron supplementation on plasma insulin and glucose concentration or on blood lipid or coagulation factor profile. Factor VIIa rose significantly following consumption of the high fat meal (1.05±0.07 vs 1.26±0.07; P≤0.001), but this increase was not altered by boron supplementation.

Conclusions: Results from this study suggest that acute boron supplementation (at 11.6 mg boron) does not alter the activity of factor VIIa following consumption of a high-fat meal.

Sponsorship: This work was funded by Borax Europe Ltd.

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Acknowledgements

The tissue factor phospholipid complex and the tissue factor standard were generous gifts from Professor Jim Morrissey, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, USA. We also wish to thank Dr DJ Northington and Dr C Jacks, West Coast Analytical Service Inc., Santa Fe Springs, California for measurement of the boron content of the biological samples. We also thank Dr C Schlekat, US Borax Inc. for reviewing the manuscript and Dr G Downing, RGD Research Inc. for assistance with the analytical samples for boron analysis. We would also like to thank our study volunteers for their participation.

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Author notes

  1. JMW Wallace and MPA Hannon-Fletcher: Guarantor: JMW Wallace and Dr MPA Hannon-Fletcher.

  2. JMW Wallace, MPA Hannon-Fletcher, PJ Robson, WS Gilmore, SA Hubbard and JJ Strain: Contributors: JMWW assisted with the design and implementation of the intervention study and was the principal author of the manuscript. MPAHF carried out the intervention study and was involved in statistically analysing the data. PJR assisted with the design and implementation of the intervention study and advised on the dietary assessment methods. WSG assisted with the haemostatic measures. JJS assisted with the design of the study and the preparation of the manuscript. SAH assisted with the design of the study and the preparation of the manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK

    JMW Wallace, MPA Hannon-Fletcher, PJ Robson, WS Gilmore & JJ Strain

  2. Borax Europe Limited, Guildford, UK

    SA Hubbard

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Correspondence to JMW Wallace.

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Wallace, J., Hannon-Fletcher, M., Robson, P. et al. Boron supplementation and activated factor VII in healthy men. Eur J Clin Nutr 56, 1102–1107 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601455

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