Bee pollen effects on methylmercury-induced intestinal leakiness as co-morbidity of autism
Abstract
Background and Objective: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a common environmental toxin that has negative effects on the developing and adult neurological systems. The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic and protective efficacy of bee polen grain in reducing increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut as a well-known co-morbidity in many neurodevelopmental disorders among which is Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Materials and Methods: Five groups of ten male neonates each were delivered by: Control healthy moms (control group), (bee polen group), (MeHg group), (therapeutic group) and (protective group) were taken. Zonulin, occludin, lipopolysaccharide- binding protein (LBP) and Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein (I-FABP) together with some oxidative stress markers including GSH, GST, lipid peroxides and diamine oxidase were measured in the serum of control and treated rats of al studied groups.bResults: While highly significant alterations of both gut leakiness and oxidative stress biomarkers were recorded in MeHg-intoxicated rats, bee polen was effective to ameliorate the MeHg toxic effects. Overal, neonatal exposure to MeHg during the developing brain stagesbwas highly effective in showing signs and symptoms of increased gut permeability and oxidative stress. Conclusion: Furthermore, bee polen could be used safely to ameliorate gut leakiness and oxidative stress as critical mechanisms contribute to the etiology of ASD as a neurodevelopmental disorder.
