Effect of the Golden Liquid from Honeybees and Refined Granulated Sugar on the Blood Glucose and Serum Iron Levels of Albino Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the golden liquid from honeybees (natural honey) and refined granulated sugar on the blood glucose and serum iron levels of Wistar albino rats. The experimental animals used in this study were grouped into five treatments based on the dose of natural honey and refined granulated sugar administered namely: T1 (1.02 g of honey /kg BW), T2 (1.40g of honey /kg BW), T3 (1.02 g of refined granulated sugar /kg BW), T4 (1.40g of refined granulated sugar /kg BW) while rats in T5 not administered with honey and refined granulated sugar served as the control. The blood glucose concentration of the albino rats was measured using the glucose strips with glucometer while the serum iron analysis was conducted using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result revealed that the mean blood glucose level of the rats was highest in T3 (112.95mg/dl), followed by T5 (92.20mg/dl) while the least value was recorded in T2 (74.86mg/dl).  There was significant difference in the blood glucose levels of albino rats orally administered natural honey and refined granulated sugar at varying levels (P<0.05). The result also showed that the mean blood glucose level of the albino rats was significantly different at week 2 and week 3 (P<0.05). The highest serum iron level was recorded in T5 (1.31ppm) followed by T2 (1.22± 0.115 ppm), while the least serum iron level was recorded in T1 (0.88ppm). However, there were no significant differences in the serum iron levels of the albino rats (p>0.05) among treatments. The use of natural honey is recommended since, albino rats orally administered honey at varying doses had lower blood glucose level than those given refined granulated sugar.