The Effects of Pollen on Serum Parameters, and Liver and Kidney Tissues on Rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate any positive effects or possible side effects of the use of pollen. Mature male rats were fed pollen of three different plant sources (Trifolium spp., Raphanus spp. and Cistus spp.) at the rate of 60 mg/animal/day over a periodof 30 days. After treatment, biochemical parameters and serum enzyme activities were analysed and weights of liver and kidney measured. Liver and kidney tissues of rats were examined by light microscope.Serum cholesterol and HDL levels decreased in rats fed on pollen of Trifolium spp. and Cistus spp. Serum glucose levels increased in rats given pollen of Trifolium spp. and Raphanus spp. There was no change in serum enzyme levels in rats of any pollen group.While absolute liver weights of rats fed on pollen of Trifolium spp. and Cistus spp. increased, no change at all in absolute kidney weight and relative weight (organ weight/body weight) of liver and kidney of rats was found in any pollen group. Histopathological changes in theliver and kidney of rats given pollen were not observed. Although serum cholesterol and HDL levels decreased, we cannot suggest that pollen caused either adverse or beneficial effects because of the short tretment period of 30 days.

Keywords

• Pollen
• Rat
• Serum parameters
• Histopathology