International Journal of Human and Health Sciences. Supplementary Issue: 2019
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v0i0.162

 

S44 
 

Malaysian Bee Bread Attenuates Apoptosis and Improves Cell Proliferation 
in Testis of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats 
 

Joseph Bagi Suleiman1, 3, Ainul Bahiyah Abu Bakar1, Mahaneem Mohamed1, 2 

 
1Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, 
Kelantan, Malaysia;2Unit of Integrative Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains 
Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; 
3Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Ak anu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo 
Ebonyi State, Nigeria 

 

ABSTRACT 

 
Introduction: Obesity has been reported to impair male reproductive function and testicular 

apoptosis while bee bread has been traditionally consumed to enhance male fertility.  
 

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Malaysian bee bread on 
apoptosis and proliferation of testicular germ cells in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.  
 

Methods: Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 250-300 g were 
randomised into four groups (n=6/group), namely normal control (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), 

HFD plus bee bread (HFD+B) and HFD plus an anti-obesity drug orlistat (HFD+O) groups. 
Bee bread (0.5g/kg/day) and orlistat (10 mg/kg/day) were suspended in distilled water and given 
by oral gavage for 12 weeks. Markers for apoptosis and proliferation of testicular germ cells 

were assessed. 
 

Results: mRNA transcript levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, p53 and Bax/Bcl2 ratio in 
the testis of HFD group were significantly increased while immunohistochemical staining of 
cleaved caspase-3 increased and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoexpress io ns 

decreased relative to NC group. 
Treatment with bee bread significantly decreased the apoptotic markers, significantly decreased 

mRNA transcript levels of anti-apoptotic markers (Bcl2) and increased PCNA 
immunoexpression in HFD+B, relative to NC group and HFD+O. 
 

Conclusion: Bee bread improved proliferation of testicular germ cells by attenuating apoptosis 
in high- fat diet-induced obese male rats. 

 
Keywords: Bee bread, high-fat diet, testis, apoptosis