Bee Stings at Sites of Acupuncture as a Potential Therapy for Idiopathic Premature Ovarian Failure: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate administration of bee stings at sites of acupuncture on the hormonal profile of patients with idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF).Study design: A pilot study carried at Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Tanta University Hospital, and at the Entomology Unit, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University from June 2015 to December 2015.Patients and Methods: 20 patients aged 18 to 40 years with idiopathic POF were included in a case series study. Measurement of serum concentrations of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), 17β-estradiol (E2) and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) with calculation of Antral Follicles Count (AFC) and volume of ovaries was done before and after bee stings that were administered for 3 months, 2 sessions per week. Every session was 15 minutes with a range of 3-8 stings per session at the site of acupuncture. The outcome measures were changes in estimated variables within one month after bee stings.Results: FHS and LH significantly decreased from 54.5 ± 3.2 to 27.1 ± 5 mIU/ mL and from 53.8 ± 2.7 to 25.2 ± 4.1 mIU/mL respectively (P value< 0.001). E2 significantly increased from 38.7 ± 3.3 to 92.5 ± 2.9 Pg/mL (P value< 0.05). Ovarian volume, AFC and AMH were not specifically different after bee stings. Conclusion:Bee stings at the sites of acupunctures significantly reduced the serum levels of both FSH and LH and increased serum concentrations of E2 with improvement in hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Bee stings had no effect on AFC, AMH or ovarian volume. The use of bee venom (stings) therapy at the sites of acupunctures for patients with idiopathic POF is recommended.

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“…It also includes peptides such as melittin, apamine, mast cell degranulating peptide, adolapine, tertiapine, secapine, melittin F and cardiopepine ( Pak, 2017; Lee et al, 2015 ) One of the first natural treatments for arthritis were possibly the bee stings. Bee venom was used for apitherapy in ancient China, India, Egypt, Babylon and Greece ( Bogdanov, 2016; Shehata et al, 2016 ). The bee sting therapy was also described in the Huandi Neijing, an ancient Chinese medical book around 500 BCE ( YaoChun, 1993 ).…”