Rapeseed bee pollen alleviates chronic non-bacterial prostatitis via regulating gut microbiota

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Microbiome Research
• Urology

Background:

• Rapeseed bee pollen is recognized for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP).
• It possesses the ability to modulate gut microbiota and enhance gut health.
• This study explores its therapeutic potential for CNP and its link to gut microbial changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-prostatitis effects of rapeseed bee pollen.
• To compare the efficacy of wall-disrupted versus non-disrupted pollen.
• To elucidate the relationship between rapeseed bee pollen treatment and gut microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

• Animal model of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.
• Administration of rapeseed bee pollen with and without wall-disruption at varying doses.
• Assessment of prostate parameters (weight, index) and inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α) via immunofluorescence.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing for gut microbiota analysis.

Main Results:

• Rapeseed bee pollen significantly alleviated CNP symptoms, reducing prostate weight and index.
• Wall-disrupted pollen, especially at high doses (WDH), demonstrated superior efficacy.
• Treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and modulated gut microbiota, increasing the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and Prevotella abundance.
• Inhibition of pathogenic bacteria and promotion of beneficial probiotics were observed.

Conclusions:

• Rapeseed bee pollen effectively alleviates CNP by modulating gut microbiota.
• Wall-disrupted pollen offers enhanced therapeutic benefits.
• This study provides a foundation for developing rapeseed bee pollen as a complementary medicine for CNP.