Natural honey reduced atherogenic and coronary risk indices in Wistar rats

BACKGROUND The biochemical mechanism underlying the nutraceutical effects of honey is poorly understood, thus making its functions more a matter of speculations. In this study, we investigated the effects of honey on the atherogenic and coronary risk indices in Wistar rats. METHODS An experimental design comprising two groups of rats fed with normal rat chow but with the experimental group receiving 10% honey in water and the control group water alone, for five weeks. Blood samples were collected weekly from each group, and the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total protein were determined. The lipids profile (total cholesterol, total triglycerides, LDL and HDL) were also determined, and the atherogenic and coronary indices were estimated. Data were analyzed, and p