Effects of Bee Bread (Perga) on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels and Histopathological Alterations in the Liver and Kidneys of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent systemic inflammation, which contributes to progressive multi-organ dysfunction, particularly in metabolically active tissues such as the liver and kidneys. Bee bread (Perga), a fermented bee pollen product rich in bioactive compounds, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory and organ-protective effects; however, its tissue-specific influence on inflammatory responses under diabetic conditions remains incompletely defined. Thirty-two male Wistar Albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, DM, DM + Perga, and Perga. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg, i.p.). Perga was administered orally at a dose of 0.5 g/kg/day for 28 days. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) were quantified in liver and kidney tissues using ELISA. Histopathological alterations were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. DM significantly increased the IL-1β, IL-6, and CRP levels in hepatic tissue and elevated TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and CRP levels in renal tissue. Perga administration attenuated these inflammatory responses, particularly reducing IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the liver and all measured cytokines in the kidney. Histopathological analyses revealed hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, sinusoidal dilatation, tubular epithelial degeneration, and glomerular damage in diabetic rats, whereas Perga treatment partially improved hepatic alterations and improved renal structural integrity. These findings indicate that Perga exerts tissue-specific anti-inflammatory and protective effects in experimental diabetes, with a more pronounced impact on renal inflammation than on hepatic responses. Although its effects on hepatic TNF-α and CRP levels were limited, Perga may act as a natural modulator of cytokine-mediated inflammatory processes. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.