Zeitschrift für klinische und zelluläre Immunologie
Offener Zugang
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Ahmad G Hegazi, Khaled Al-Menabbawy, Eman H Abd El Rahman and Suzette I Helal
Objective: Study the effect of bee sting therapy (Apitherapy) in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.
Methods: Fifty patients with MS, their ages ranged between 26-71 years, were subjected to complete clinical and neurological history and examination to confirm the diagnosis. All cases were under their regular treatment they were divided into two main groups, Group I received honey, pollen, royal jelly and Propolis and were treated with acupuncture 3 times weekly, for 12 months, in addition to their medical treatment, while group II remains on their ordinary medical treatment only. Acupuncture was done by bee stings for regulating the immune system.
Results: Results revealed that 4 patients showed some improvement regarding their defects in gait, bowel control, constipation and urination, while 12 cases, showed some mild improvement in their movement in bed, and better improvement in bed sores, sensation, and better motor power, only two cases of them were able to stand for a few minutes with support. Interleukin (IL) 1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα, and IL-6 were detected. The level of TNF-α was significantly elevated in patients in Group II, while IL-1β was reduced in Group II than Group I and no significant differences were found for IL-6 between the 2 groups. The mean values of IgE level in both groups of M.S. Patients were low, but with no statistical significance, while by the end of the study there were an elevation in the levels of IgE for both groups, which was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Although Apitherapy is not a curable therapy in MS, but it can be used to minimize the clinical symptoms of MS, and can be included among programs of MS therapy.