Cardioprotective Effects of Insect Apis melifera-Based Complementary Foods Using an In Vivo Mouse Model

Abstract

Background. Cardiovascular disease is the cause of one-third of deaths worldwide because of increased risk factors, such as intake of cholesterol and saturated fat. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood; therefore, nutritional prevention should begin at an early stage. This study assessed the lipid profile, atherogenic, and castill’s risk index intake of Apis melifera-based complementary foods using an in vivo mouse model. Methods. The experiment was conducted for 28 days. A total of 75 male white albino mice were randomly assigned to five diets in triplicate. The diets were Diet 1 = casein diet; Diet 2 = (57% maize, 29% teff, 14% soybean); Diet 3 = (58% maize, 29% teff, 13% bee larvae); Diet 4 = commercial wean mix; Diet 5 = basal diet alone. Mouse blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. The lipid profiles of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C were analysed using an automated pentra C400 made in France. Results. Biochemical (mg/dl) parameters showed that mice fed Diet 3 had high ( $P$  ≤ 0.001), TG (167.79), HDL-C (67.18), and low LDL-C (71.73) levels. The atherogenic indices CRI-I (1.84), CRI-II (1.07), and AC (0.84) were low in Diet 3. The atherogenicity indices showed a significant positive correlation ( $P$  ≤ 0.001) with one another as follows: CRI-I vs. CRI-II (r = 0.919), CRI-I vs. AC (r = 1), and CRI-II vs. AC (r = 0.919). Conclusion. The results of the present investigation confirm that intake of an Apis mellifera-based diet could prevent children from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a mouse model.