Effects of adjuvant honey therapy on disease activity, lymphocyte function and lymphocyte subsets in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
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Date
2009
Authors
M. Mohamad, Wathik
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Abstract
Background: SLE is a prototype autoimmune disease which can affect many tissues and
organs of the body. Current treatment with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive
drugs are able to suppress disease activity but associated with significant short term and
long term side effects. Honey has been shown to have anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory
properties. However the role of honey in autoimmune diseases has not been
elucidated. We studied the effects of adjuvant honey given together with conventional
treatment to assess the effect of honey on disease activity and its immunological effects
on lymphocyte function and lymphocyte subsets.
Objectives: To compare the effects of adjuvant honey therapy versus conventional
therapy alone on disease activity, to determine the effects of adjuvant honey therapy
versus conventional therapy alone on lymphocyte functions and lymphocyte subsets in
SLE patients.
Methodology: This was a prospective randomized study. Sixty SLE patients were
randomized into two equal groups, group 1 receiving conventional treatment with low
dose steroid and cyclophosphamide or azathioprim, group 2 receiving same treatment in
addition to honey 20 gm twice a day. Disease activity was measured in all patients every
3 months by SLEDAI score, C3, C4, ANA titre, dsDNA antibodies and CRP. The
function of T lymphocyte was determined at baseline and after 6 months by measuring
the expression of 3 lymphocyte activation markers (HLADR, CD45RO and CD25) using
flow cytometer. Enumeration of lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and
CD16/56) was done by Immunofluorescence staining method using flow cytometer at
baseline and after 6 months.
Results: SLEDAI score was significantly decreased in honey group compared to non
honey group after 3 and 6 months of follow up (p value < 0.001, 0.023 respectively). C3
and C4 showed a significant increase within honey group (p = 0.002, 0.017 respectively).
The level of dsDNA antibodies was found to be decreased significantly within honey
group (p = 0.05). The level of CRP was found to be decreased significantly within honey
group compared to non honey group after 6 months follow up ( p = 0.016). For ANA titre
we observed that the mean difference between the groups after 3 months and after 6
months follow up was statistically not significant. For the expression of lymphocyte
activation markers there was a significant decrease in the expression of CD8CD45RO
and CD8CD25 within honey group compared to non honey group after 6 months follow
up (p = 0.04, 0.021 respectively). Regarding lymphocyte subsets there was a significant
increase in CD3 and CD16/56 percentage in honey group after 6 months follow up
compared with non honey group (p = 0.021, 0.038 respectively). A pattern of increment
for CD4 and of decrement for CD8 and CD19 was observed in honey group but it was
not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The use of honey therapy as adjuvant to conventional treatment in patients
with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was found to be useful in suppressing disease
activity and enhancing lymphocyte function and lymphocyte subsets.
Description
Master
Keywords
Biological Science , Adjuvant honey therapy , Systemic lupus erythematosus