EFFECT OF BORIC-ACID SOLUTION ON CARTILAGE METABOLISM

Pelvic cartilage of chick embryo was used to demonstrate that presence of boron in culture medium decreases synthesis of proteoglycans, coll agen and total proteins but on the other hand increases the release of these macromolecules. However, when glucose concentration in culture medium is brought to 22mM, the synthesis decrease is no longer observe d, whereas release increase persists. Proteins released into the cultu re medium included heat shock proteins (70 hsp) and tumor necrosis fac tor alpha (TNF alpha). The amount of phosphorylated proteins was enhan ced in presence of boron while endoprotease activity in cartilage and in culture medium was significantly augmented. The in vitro effects of boric acid may explain its in vivo effect on wound healing. (C) 1997 Academic Press.