Effect of Honey on Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Children with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Despite recent advances in the management of patients with heart failure, morbidity and mortality rates remain high. Common causes of heart failure are ischaemic heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension and valvular disease. However, in up to 50 % of the cases its exact cause remains initially unknown; this condition is called idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Honey is one of the most renowned natural foods. Its composition is extremely variable, depending on its botanical and geographical origins, and the abundant presence of functional compounds has contributed to the increased worldwide interest is this foodstuff. In particular, great attention has been paid by the scientific community towards classes of compounds like phenolic compounds, due to their capability to act as markers of unifloral honey origin. In order to evaluate the effects of oral honey on the left ventricular systolic function in children and adolescents with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy, this study was carried out in the Cardiology Clinic, children hospital, Ain Shams University, Egypt during the period from November to May. There are limited data on the effectiveness or efficacy of honey on blood pressure, however, it was reported that short-term (3 weeks) administration of honey in streptozotocin-induced diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats resulted in reduction in systolic blood pressure. During the 3 month-study period, there was no a change in the drug treatment of the patients of both groups. All patients in the honey group tolerated well the honey intake; no patient developed any adverse effect.At the end the study, the echocardiographic findings did not also show significant changes between the two groups, but in the honey group, there was a highly significant increase in the fraction shortening (FS) and the ejection fraction (EF), and a significant decrease in the left ventricular end systolic diameter.