engleski

Effect of pulverized honeybee products on muscle injury markers and antioxidant enzymes activity in search and rescue dogs during fieldwork

Introduction. Nutraceuticals in form of honeybee products are extensively researched for its antioxidative properties [1]. Nevertheless, the antioxidative effect of propolis and bee pollen supplementation in working dogs during the prolonged activity has not been researched. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of honeybee products on serum activity of enzymes: creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), on blood lactate level and on erythrocytes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in Croatian Mountain Rescue Service dogs during stimulated fieldwork. Animals, materials and methods. There were 18 healthy dogs (mean age 3.06 ± 2.1 years) included in the study, divided into three groups: control group and two experimental groups (Api1 and Api2). Base diet was a commercially available complete and balanced diet, uniform for all groups. Experimental groups were supplemented with protected pulverized honeybee product: propolis and bee pollen (ApicomplexTM, Hedera, Croatia) added in the concentration of 0.01% (Api1) and 0.05% (Api2) to the base diet. Feeding protocol lasted for 4 months with an additional 15 days of adjustment prior to the feeding regime. During the experimental period, blood samples were obtained once per month: baseline sample in the morning before the feeding and the second one immediately after the 6 hours medium intensity, search and rescue field exercise. Data were analyzed using GraphPadPrism6 software within the groups before and after the fieldwork using the paired t-test and between the groups using one-way ANOVA (p<0, 05) (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). This study was approved by the institutional ethical committee. Results and discussion. Biochemical markers of muscle damage, the enzyme activity of CK and LDH were significantly higher after the performed fieldwork in all groups indicating that work performed at submaximal activity level during a prolonged period of time results in overall increased muscle activity and marked muscle injury [2]. Significantly lower level of LDH was observed in the Api2 group in comparison to the control group before the work. Nevertheless, no difference was observed between the groups for the CK and LDH activity after the work. The lactate level was higher after the fieldwork but no significant difference was noted within all groups or between groups. The observed results indicate the effective clearance of lactate during the activity suggesting a predominant aerobic pathway of energy utilisation [3]. Antioxidant biomarker SOD showed a significant decline in activity in the control group after the work, while the same effect has not been observed in experimental groups. The activity of erythrocyte GPx was unaltered in all groups. Conclusion. Strenuous fieldwork leads to pronounced muscle activity and depletion of antioxidant enzymes due to high energy and workload demands. Antioxidant supplementation in the form of honeybee products may attenuate exercise-induced oxidative damage and thus benefit recovery.

propolis, search and rescue dogs, fieldwork

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