Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment
Published on: September 27, 2017
Protective Effects of Bee Pollen on Multiple Propionic Acid-Induced Biochemical Autistic Features in a Rat Model
Hanan A Alfawaz1, Afaf El-Ansary2, Laila Al-Ayadhi3
1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Bee pollen supplementation may protect against autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. This study found bee pollen ameliorated key biochemical markers in a rat model of autism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by social, communication, and behavioral impairments.
- Potential etiological factors include oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and glutamate excitotoxicity.
- Bee pollen, rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, is explored for its therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of bee pollen against autism-induced biochemical changes in a rat model.
- To evaluate bee pollen's impact on oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurochemistry.
Main Methods:
- Autism was induced in male rats using propionic acid.
- One group received bee pollen supplementation prior to autism induction.
- Brain tissue was analyzed for markers of oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and neurotransmitters.
Main Results:
- Propionic acid-induced autism significantly decreased glutathione, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and vitamin C.
- Elevated levels of glutamate, IFN-γ, IL-1A, IL-6, caspase-3, and lipid peroxides were observed in the autism model.
- Bee pollen treatment significantly ameliorated most of these biochemical alterations.
Conclusions:
- Bee pollen exhibits protective properties against autism-associated biochemical imbalances.
- Supplementation with bee pollen may offer a therapeutic strategy for managing aspects of autism spectrum disorder.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders that clinically presented as impaired social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and weakened communication. The use of bee pollen as a supplement rich in amino acids amino acids, vitamins, lipids, and countless bioactive substances may lead to the relief of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and impaired neurochemistry as etiological mechanisms autism. Thirty young male Western albino rats were randomly divided as: Group I-control; Group II, in which autism was induced by the oral administration of 250 mg propionic acid/kg body weight/day for three days followed by orally administered saline until the end of experiment and Group III, the bee pollen-treated group, in which the rats were treated with 250 mg/kg body weight of bee pollen for four weeks before autism was induced as described for Group II. Markers related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and neurochemistry were measured in the brain tissue. Our results indicated that while glutathione serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), GABA/Glutamate ratio, and vitamin C were significantly reduced in propionic acid-treated group (p < 0.05), glutamate, IFN-γ, IL-1A, IL-6, caspase-3, and lipid peroxide levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Bee pollen supplementation demonstrates protective potency presented as amelioration of most of the measured variables with significance range between (p < 0.05)−(p < 0.001).
