Honeybee venom modulates antioxidant gene expression and tissue regeneration in a rat model of staphylococcus aureus - infected skin wounds.

BACKGROUND

Skin integrity is necessary for protection against microbial invasion, and disturbance of this barrier predisposes to infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES

Study antioxidant SOD3, GPX4 genes expression and interaction with other genes and skin histopathology, hematological, and biochemical parameters as integrated markers of efficacy and safety of therapeutic potential of honeybee venom used in S. aureus-associated skin wounds.

METHODOLOGY: Male albino rats were divided into five different groups. The dorsal fur of experimental rats was shaved to create the bacterial infection site. After three weeks of treatment, wound healing was evaluated through histopathological examination, while systemic influences were assessed using hematological and biochemical parameters. The expression levels of antioxidant genes SOD3 and GPX4 were quantified. In silico analyses were conducted using gnomAD and GeneMANIA databases.

RESULTS

Gene expression analysis revealed significant lower relative expression of SOD3 and GPX4 in the positive control group, whereas honeybee venom obviously increased relative expression both genes. The gnomAD database identified 812 variants in SOD3 and 2064 variants in GPX4. GeneMANIA analysis exhibited that SOD3 and GPX4 interact with 8 and 17 related genes, respectively, mainly through physical interaction. Histopathological results showing impaired skin architecture in infected rats and partial improvement by honeybee venom. Hematological analysis demonstrated minor variations. Liver enzymes were improved in honeybee venom treated groups. Renal function parameters showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Honeybee venom ability to increase relative expression SOD3 and GPX4 and promote tissue partial restoration highlights its potential as an effective therapeutic agent for infected wounds.