Effect of Oral Honey Consumption On Immune Function Following Ex-vivo Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation in Healthy Humans - Effect of Oral Honey Consumption On Immune Function Following Ex-vivo Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation in Healthy Humans - Open Access Pub

Nine healthy individuals with a mean ± SD BMI of 22.0 ± 0.7 kg/m2 and age of 20 ± 0.2 years, participated in this single-blind randomised, crossover trial investigating the impact of ingesting two different honeys (1) Tropical Forest Honey (TFH) and (2) Manuka Honey; strength 12+ (MAN) on circulating levels of plasma interferon gamma following ex-vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Blood samples were prepared into duplicate aliquots of whole blood (800 μl) and 100 μg/l of LPS was added to samples to give a final volume of 1 ml. Levels of IFN-γ in plasma fractions were measured via commercially available sandwich ELISA and all comparisons were made with paired data using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test taking a significance level of 5%. Whilst significant intra-and-interpersonal variation was observed, IFN-γ concentrations remained statistically unchanged 48 hours after the ingestion of either honey (p=0.15). Thus, in this instance the type of honey did not influence the IFN-γ response to plasma samples spiked with LPS. DOI10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2639 As the body’s largest organ of host defence the vitality of the microflora that reside within the gastrointestinal tract is critical in minimising pathophysiological complications1. The functionality of the microfloria is largely influenced by variations in microbial communities. These communtities are shaped by a series of complex and dynamic epignetic factors including diet, lifestyle and disease2. Interactions between the gut microbiota and the host immune system can modulate metabolic reactions as exemplified by the production of bile acids, choline and short chain fatty acids that are essential for host health2. This reinforces the nexus between host nutritional status, the microbiota/microbiome and reactionary immune responses. Appreciating these axes is a prerequisite for optimising therapeutic strategies that have the potential to elicit a protective immune response. With continuing financial strain on our national health services and the heavy reliance on pharmaceutical drugs as counter measures to fight disease, the discovery of dietary stratergies that target the prevention rather than cure manifesto are worthy of further exploration. Honey, is a viscous and hygroscopic substance produced by bees from floral nectar. This sugar-rich liquid is pivotal for plant ecology, insect evolution and biodiversity. Historically, honey has been used as a natural healing agent, with illustrative evidence of its use dating back some 8000 years. Conventionally, honey is recognised as a natural