Bee venom ameliorates cardiac dysfunction in diabetic hyperlipidemic rats

Abstract

High levels of blood glucose and lipids are well-known risk factors for heart diseases. Bee venom is a natural product that has a potent hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The current study aimed to determine the bee venom effects on cardiac dysfunction compared to combined therapy of metformin and atorvastatin in diabetic hyperlipidemic rats. The median lethal dose of bee venom was estimated, and then 50 adult male albino rats were categorized into five groups. One group was fed a standard diet and served as a negative control, while the other groups were given nicotinamide and streptozotocin injections to induce type 2 diabetes. After confirming diabetes, the rats were fed a high-fat diet for four weeks. The four groups were divided as follows: one group served as a positive control, whereas the other three groups were treated with bee venom (0.5 mg/kg), bee venom (1.23 mg/kg), and combined therapy of metformin (60 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), respectively, for four weeks. Upon termination of the experiment, blood samples and heart tissue were obtained. Administration of bee venom using both doses (0.5 and 1.23 mg/kg) and combined therapy of metformin and atorvastatin revealed a significant decrease in the concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, troponin I, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Moreover, a significant decrease had been detedcted in malondialdehyde, nuclear factor-kappa-β levels, and relative mRNA expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and galectin-3 in heart tissue compared to the positive control ( P < 0.0001). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in bodyweight levels of insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total antioxidant capacity in heart tissue compared to the positive control ( P < 0.0001). The results indicate that bee venom can ameliorate cardiac dysfunction through attenuating oxidative stress and downregulating the NF-κβ signaling pathway.

Pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of honey bee venom

“…Previous studies have shown that melittin improves the synthesis of insulin by downregulating the inflammatory process of pancreatic Islets ( Pollak, 2014 , Sattar, 2022 ). Additionally, melittin also depolarizes pancreatic Islets cell membrane which opens Ca 2+ channels and permitting Calcium ions enhanced entry and activating β-cells to synthesize insulin ( Mousavi et al, 2012 , Zahran et al, 2021a , Zahran et al, 2021b , Sattar, 2022 ). The administration of BV renovated the usual physiology and anatomy of the pancreas because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities ( Kim et al, 1999 , Sattar, 2022 ).…”

“…Furthermore, the administration of BV reduces cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels, and concentration of glucose while improving the level of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and insulin production in diabetic mice ( Al-Shaeli et al, 2022a , AL-Shaeli et al, 2022b ). Also, Melittin and phospholipase A2 can improve the level of insulin and glucose and cure the inflammation in islets of Langerhans ( Elkotby et al, 2018 , Zidan et al, 2018 , Zahran et al, 2021a , Zahran et al, 2021b ). Additionally, BV also restrains the synthesis of free radicals and proinflammatory cytokines which may trigger the death of β-cells ( Badr et al, 2016 , Zahran et al, 2021a , Zahran et al, 2021b ).…”

“…Also, Melittin and phospholipase A2 can improve the level of insulin and glucose and cure the inflammation in islets of Langerhans ( Elkotby et al, 2018 , Zidan et al, 2018 , Zahran et al, 2021a , Zahran et al, 2021b ). Additionally, BV also restrains the synthesis of free radicals and proinflammatory cytokines which may trigger the death of β-cells ( Badr et al, 2016 , Zahran et al, 2021a , Zahran et al, 2021b ). BV is alternative medicine for various diseases, including diabetes mellitus and obesity.…”

Pharmacological effects and mechanisms of bee venom and its main components: Recent progress and perspective

“…Administration of BV decreased fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-C, VLDL-C, creatine kinase (CK)-MB, LDH, troponin I, and heart MDA, NF-κB levels, and heart vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and galectin-3 expression, as well as increased bodyweight, plasma insulin, serum HDL-C and heart total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in diabetic hyperlipidemic rats, which indicated that BV could reduce oxidative stress and downregulate NF-κB pathway to improve cardiac dysfunction ( Zahran et al, 2021 ). Besides, bvPLA 2 could be a potential agent for atherosclerosis through inducing Treg cells ( Kang et al, 2020 ).…”

“…BV at 0.1 and 1 mg/kg was an effective concentration and had no side effects on rats ( Lee et al, 2020a ). Similarly, 0.5 and 1.23 mg/kg of BV were also taken as therapeutic dosages to rats ( Zahran et al, 2021 ). Besides, i.p.…”