Effect of a bradykinin potentiating factor separated from honey bee venom on thyroid gland and testis in hypothyroid white rats

Abstract

Abstract Background Animal venoms have been known as a source of drugs beneficial to human health. Accordingly, this study was designed to determine the effect of bradykinin potentiating factor (BPF) separated from honey bee venom, Apis mellifera on histological structure, thyroid and male sex hormones of the thyroid gland and testis in a model of hypothyroid male white rats induced by carbimazole. Results This study includes male rats divided into 6 main and sub-groups (10 rats in each group). Control group, carbimazole group, levothyroxine group, BPF group, carbimazole group treated with levothyroxine and carbimazole group treated with BPF. At the end of experiments (60 days) rats were sacrificed and dissected; the blood was collected for determination of thyroid and male sex hormones. Also, the thyroid gland and testis were taken to histological study. The results indicated that, carbimazole group showed a highly significant decrease in thyroid hormones (T4, T3, Ft4 and Ft3) and male sex hormones (LH, FSH and testosterone), but a significant increase in TSH compared to control group. The results revealed that, treated groups with levothyroxine or BPF have significant increase in thyroid and male sex hormones and significant decreasein TSH. A significant improvement was detected in co-treated groups (hypothyroid groups) with levothyroxine or (BPF). Also, the present study showed a histopathological change in thyroid gland and testis of hypothyroid male rats. Conclusion Treated hypothyroid rats with levothyroxine as a drug and BPF as a natural product showed an improvement of these complications induced by carbimazole in thyroid gland and testis. Therefore, BPF may be benefical in treatment of hypothyroidism.