Effects of honey fromMimosa quadrivalvisL. (malícia) produced by theMelipona subnitidaD. (jandaíra) stingless bee on dyslipidaemic rats

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of supplementation with honey from Mimosa quadrivalvis L. (malícia) (MH) produced by jandaíra stingless bees (Melipona subnitida D.) on the lipid metabolism, antioxidant status and some intestinal health parameters of rats with diet-induced dyslipidaemia. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: healthy control (HC), dyslipidaemic control (DC), healthy experimental (EHH) and dyslipidaemic experimental (EDH). Malícia honey (MH) was administered (1000 mL kg-1) via orogastric feeding for 35 days. Dyslipidaemic rats supplemented with MH showed lower food consumption, increased glucose tolerance and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased total cholesterol, LDL and AST blood levels. Counts of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. and excretion of organic acids in faeces increased in dyslipidaemic rats supplemented with MH. MH supplementation protected the colon and liver from tissue damage induced by the dyslipidaemic diet. These results show the beneficial effects of MH on the lipid metabolism, antioxidant status and intestinal health of rats with diet-induced dyslipidaemia.

Honey and Its Role in Relieving Multiple Facets of Atherosclerosis

“…The effect of honey on lipid metabolism was further confirmed by Bezerra et al [114]. In this study, honey from Mimosa quadrivalvis L. produced by the Melipona subnitida D. (jandaira) stingless bee was evaluated for its effectiveness on lipid parameters, an antioxidant status and intestinal health of dyslipidaemic rats (1 g/kg) for 35 days.…”

Maternal Sweeteners Intake Modulates Gut Microbiota and Exacerbates Learning and Memory Processes in Adult Male Offspring

“…Nevertheless, although our study did not find an increase in Lactobacillales in the Ho-C group, other authors have reported an increase in Lactobacillus spp. in dyslipidaemic rats supplemented with honey (19). The difference between these reported data may be due to the fructans content in honey or Stevia rebaudiana.…”

“…In recent years, the role of gut microbiota as responsible for the relationship between high-sucrose diet and glucose intolerance has been highlighted (36). In contrast, a study performed with dyslipidemic rats reported that supplementation with honey from Mimosa quadrivalvis L. increased glucose tolerance (19). Honey is a caloric sweetener (3.4 kcal/g) composed mainly of glucose and fructose, and it is also a source of flavonoids and phenolic acids, and its composition depends on the type of flower used by bees (17).…”

“…A tentative hypothesis proposes that the beneficial effects of bee honey consumption are related to shifts on gut microbiota. In fact, a prebiotic effect of honey allows changes in phyla Actinobacteria (genus: Bifidobacterium) and Firmicutes (genus: Lactobacillus) (19,20). The most common phyla in the gut microbiota are Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes; however, other bacteria occur in lower quantities such as Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Elusimicrobia (21).…”

Effects of a Mixed Limosilactobacillus fermentum Formulation with Claimed Probiotic Properties on Cardiometabolic Variables, Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Male Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…Acetic, butyric and propionic acids were measured with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique using an LC 1260 Infinity system (Agilent Technologies, St. Clara, CA, USA) coupled to a photo diode detector array (PDA) detector (G1315D; Agilent Technologies) as previously described [ 19 ].…”