Effects of Bee Pollen on Alveolar Bone Loss and Inflammatory Markers in Rats with Experimental Periodontitis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate both the systemic and local anti-inflammatory effects of bee pollen in a rat model of experimental periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: 1) healthy (H), 2) periodontitis (P), and 3) periodontitis + bee pollen (P+BP). Experimental periodontitis was induced by placing ligatures on maxillary molars. Bee pollen was administered orally to the P+BP group for 14 days. On the 15th day of the experiment, the rats were euthanized, and jaw tissues along with serum samples were collected for biochemical, histological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical evaluations. Serum concentrations of IL-4 and IL-6 were determined using ELISA, while RANKL and OPG expressions were evaluated through immunohistochemical staining. Results: Bone loss was higher in the periodontitis groups than in the healthy group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in serum IL-4 and IL-6 levels between the groups (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis indicated a significant increase in OPG and a decrease in RANKL expression in the P+BP group compared to the P group (p < 0.05). Histological examination also demonstrated notably less inflammation in the P+BP group than in the P group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was determined that systemic bee pollen administration had no effect on serum IL-4 and IL-6 parameters, reduced RANKL levels, increased OPG levels, and thus may prevent alveolar bone loss due to periodontitis.