Effect of honey on bacterial translocation and intestinal morphology in obstructive jaundice

AIM:To evaluate the effects of honey on bacterial translocation and intestinal villus histopathology in experimental obstructive jaundice.METHODS:Thirty Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into three groups each including 10 animals:group Ⅰ,sham-operated;group Ⅱ,ligation and section of the common bile duct(BDL);group Ⅲ,bile duct ligation followed by oral supplementation of honey(BDL+honey) 10 g/kg per day.Liver,blood,spleen,mesenteric lymph nodes,and ileal samples were taken for microbiological,light and transmission electrone microscopic examination.RESULTS:Although the number of villi per centimeter and the height of the mucosa were higher in sham group,there was no statistically significant difference between sham and BDL + honey groups(P>0.05).On the other hand,there was a statistically significant difference between BDL group and other groups(P<0.05).The electron microscopic changes werealso different between these groups.Sham and honey groups had similar incidence of bacterial translocation(P>0.05).BDL group had significantly higher rates of bacterial translocation as compared with sham and honey groups.Bacterial translocation was predominantly detected in mesenteric lymph nodes.CONCLUSION:Supplementation of honey in presence of obstructive jaundice ameliorates bacterial translocation and improves ileal morphology.