Bee Pollen Effects on Methylmercury-Induced Intestinal Leakiness as Co-Morbidity of Autism: Experimental Approach

Mona Alonazi, Abir Bacha, Arwa Ishaq Khayyat, Areej Alzahrani and Afaf El-Ansary

Background and Objective: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a common environmental toxin that has negative effects on the developing and adult neurological systems. The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic and protective efficacy of bee pollen grain in reducing increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut as a well-known co-morbidity in many neurodevelopmental disorders among which is Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Materials and Methods: Five groups of ten male neonates each were delivered by: Control healthy moms (control group), (bee pollen group), (MeHg group), (therapeutic group) and (protective group) were taken. Zonulin, occludin, lipopolysaccharide- binding protein (LBP) and Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein (I-FABP) together with some oxidative stress markers including GSH, GST, lipid peroxides and diamine oxidase were measured in the serum of control and treated rats of all studied groups. Results: While highly significant alterations of both gut leakiness and oxidative stress biomarkers were recorded in MeHg-intoxicated rats, bee pollen was effective to ameliorate the MeHg toxic effects. Overall, neonatal exposure to MeHg during the developing brain stages was highly effective in showing signs and symptoms of increased gut permeability and oxidative stress. Conclusion: Furthermore, bee pollen could be used safely to ameliorate gut leakiness and oxidative stress as critical mechanisms contribute to the etiology of ASD as a neurodevelopmental disorder.

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