The Effect of Royal Jelly on Levels of Tnf-Alpha and Oxidant-Antioxidant Systems in Experimental Rats Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Royal jelly is a product of bees and contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, free amino acids, vitamins and minerals. In this study, the effect of royal jelly on TNF-alpha levels and oxidant-antioxidant systems in hypothyroid rats induced by propylthiouracil (PTU) were investigated. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups each containing 10 rats as control, royal jelly, PTU and PTU + royal jelly groups. At the end of the experiment, hematological parameters, sT3, sT4 and serum lipid profile, levels of TSH, TNF-alpha, GSH, MDA, GSH-Px, SOD and CAT were determined. The levels of sT3 (p < 0.001) and sT4 (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased and TSH levels (p < 0.05) increased in PTU and PTU + royal jelly groups compared to control group. There was a decrease in triglyceride levels (p < 0.05) and an increase in LDL (p < 0.01), RBC (p < 0.05), HCT (p < 0.01) and HGB (p < 0.01) in PTU + royal jelly group compared to the PTU group. Levels of TNF-alpha, GSH and GSH-Px, CAT, SOD were not significantly different between groups. As a result, increase in oxidative stress was not detected in hypothyroid rats induced by PTU. Therefore we could not observe the effect of royal jelly on oxidative stress. In hypothyroidism, royal jelly had positive effects on triglycerides, RBC, HCT and HGB. Especially for the treatment of anemia in hypothyroidism royal jelly may be recommended. This is a preliminary study that shows the effect of royal jelly on hypothyroidism. There is a need for further studies on this issue.