The Effects of Honeybee Venom Intoxication on the Cardiovascular System in Rats

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to examine the effects of bee venom (BV), which contains many enzymes, peptides, and amines, on the cardiovascular system in rats. Materials and Methods The animal material of the study included 24 Wistar albino rats in total, divided into the control, low dose (20 μg/g-mg/kg) BV, and high dose (30 μg/g-mg/kg) BV groups. Heart rate, PR, QRS, and QTc interval values were recorded in the electrocardiography (ECG) examinations of the rats. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses, and heart tissue samples were collected for histopathological analyses. Results According to the ECG data, heart rate values decreased at the 6th h in both the 20 and 30 mg BV groups. The PR interval value increased at the 6th h in both the 20 and 30 mg BV groups in comparison to the control group. Compared to the control group, the troponin and creatine kinase (CK) values of the 20 and 30 mg BV groups significantly increased. Furthermore, creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values increased in both the 20 and 30 mg BV groups compared to the control group. Heart tissues taken from both groups administered BV were hyperemic, and hemorrhagic areas were detected in the heart tissues of some rats in the group administered 30 mg BV. Conclusion BV has a dose-independent bradycardic effect and increases cardiac enzymes while adversely affecting heart tissue at high doses.