Cytokine assessment and Immunomodulatory Effect of Bee Venom in HBV&HCV Infected Patients

Ghoniemy, Helmy A.; Mohamed, Shereen Rashad; El Badya, Hoda Abed; Abou- Zied, Mohamed; Sayed Elsayh, Hebat Allah Sayed; Elfiky, Abir A.

doi:10.21608/besps.2017.8265

Cytokine assessment and Immunomodulatory Effect of Bee Venom in HBV&HCV Infected Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Departments of plant protection , Faculty of Agriculture , Fayoum University.

² Departments of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University.

³ Departments of internal medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University.

⁴ Departments ofApiculture research, plant protectionsititue , A.R.C.

⁵ Director of ANDI center of excellence in Antivenom research, RRD, VACSERA.

10.21608/besps.2017.8265

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B &Hepatitis C viral infections are common health problems worldwide. New strategies for treatment are now evolving. The therapeutic application of bee venom has been used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bee-sting (venom) therapy on progression of chronic viral hepatitis B & C and on the levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β , IL -2 and IL -6 and the anti inflammatory IL -10 in HBV&HCV infected patients. Methods: 67 Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis were enrolled, 20 of them have HBV and 47 have HCV. Bee stings were administered using live bees at apipunctur point. CBC, liver enzymes, Hepatitis B &C RT-PCR, IL-1β, IL -2, IL -6 and IL -10 were estimated before & after bee stings therapy. Results: there was a significant decrease in ALT; AST (P≤0.05) after bee venom injection in both types of hepatitis. viral load was decreased during the course of treatment, it became negative after 9 months therapy in all cases of HBV infection and in 34.04% of HCV infection. IL-1β, IL -2, IL -6 and IL -10 levels were aalso significantly decreased after 9 months therapy in both types of hepatitis patients. Conclusions: bee venom stings decreased the viral load and IL-1β, IL -2, IL -6 and IL -10 after 9 month's therapy in both types of hepatitis.

Keywords