A histomorphometric study of alveolar bone modelling and remodelling in mice fed a boron-deficient diet

Emerging evidence indicates that boron (B) plays a role in bone formation and maintenance. Thus, a study was performed to determine whether dietary B-deficiency affects periodontal alveolar bone modelling and remodelling. Weanling Swiss mice (n = 30) were divided into three groups: control diet (GI, 3 mg B/kg); B-deficient diet (GII, 0.07 mg B/kg); and pair-fed with GII (GIII). The animals were maintained on their respective diets for 9 weeks and then sacrificed. The guidelines of the NIH for the care and use of laboratory animals were observed. The mandibles were resected, fixed, decalcified in 10% EDTA and embedded in paraffin. Buccolingually oriented sections were obtained at the level of the mesial root of the first lower molar and stained with H–E. Histomorphometric studies were performed separately on the buccal and lingual sides of the periodontal alveolar bone. Percentages of osteoblast surfaces (ObSs), eroded surfaces (ESs), and quiescent surfaces (QSs) were determined. No statistically significant differences in food intake and body weight were observed between the groups. When compared with GI and GIII mice, GII mice (B-deficient) had 63% and 48% reductions in ObS and 58% and 73% increases in QS in buccal and lingual plates, respectively. ES were not affected by B nutriture. The results are evidence that dietary boron deprivation in mice alters periodontal alveolar bone modelling and remodelling by inhibiting bone formation.