Exploring the Buzz: Bee Venom Injections and Parkinson's Disease

By Emily Mikitka and Courtney Bean

Picture Parkinson's disease as a masterful puppeteer working discreetly behind the scenes of life's grand spectacle. The puppeteer's subtle influence, mirrored by the gradual depletion of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, results in a slow yet significant alteration in the rhythm and coordination of the body's movements. Similar to the graceful dance of a puppet, the nuances of everyday tasks transform into a formidable challenge for individuals contending with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, impacting motor function and quality of life. The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors (uncontrollable shaking), bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity (stiffness of the limbs and joints), and postural instability (difficulty maintaining balance). These symptoms typically develop gradually over a period of time and may vary in severity from person to person. In the search for innovative therapies, researchers are exploring unconventional avenues, including the potential benefits of bee venom. Bee venom is a complex mixture of proteins and peptides produced by bees, primarily used as a defense mechanism. Honeybees deploy this venom as a means of protection against predators. The bee venom is known to combat inflammation and potentially lessen the severity of painful symptoms. It’s often used in studies to treat nervous system disorders, like in this study, Parkinson’s Disease. Melittin is the predominant and biologically active component in bee venom. In a recent study, researchers delved into the effects of monthly bee venom injections on moderately affected Parkinson's disease patients. Andreas Hartman set out to find and determine whether 11 months of bee venom injections significantly improves patients’ symptoms, using scores on the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

[1] A bee on a flower

The study included 40 Parkinson's disease patients at Hoehn & Yahr stages 1.5 to 3, randomly assigned to either monthly bee venom injections or equivalent volumes of saline (placebo). A placebo is a fake treatment that is commonly used in studies like this when researchers are attempting to prove whether their hypothesis is correct, that their treatment (bee venom in this case) is actually having an impact on treatment in comparison to the fake placebo treatment. Each group was anonymous, not knowing which supplement they were receiving based on them being disguised in two of the same syringe. Secondary objectives included evaluating the evolution of UPDRS III scores over the study period and [123I]-FP-CIT scans to assess disease progression. Safety was also a priority, with monitoring for specific IgE against bee venom and skin tests when necessary. After 11 months of monthly administration, the study did not find a significant decrease in UPDRS III scores in the "off" condition for patients receiving bee venom injections. Additionally, there were no significant differences in UPDRS III scores over the study course or in nuclear imaging between the treatment and placebo groups. Four patients were excluded from the trial due to positive skin tests, but no systemic allergic reactions were recorded. Notably, specific IgE against bee venom, which initially increased, decreased in all patients who completed the trial. The study suggests that bee venom administration was safe in non-allergic subjects.

[2] USDA Photo

While this study did not reveal clear symptomatic or disease-modifying effects of monthly bee venom injections over an 11-month period compared to placebo, it lays the groundwork for further exploration. The safety of bee venom administration in non-allergic subjects is promising, and the study suggests that higher administration frequency and possibly higher individual doses of bee venom may be necessary to unveil its potency in treating Parkinson's disease. The therapy treatment time might also need to be lengthened to longer than just an 11 month process, in order for the bee venom to have a more impactful and lasting effect. Parkinson’s Disease treatment options have always been experimental in the hopes to find a more holistic way to treat this disease. This research contributes valuable insights to the growing body of knowledge surrounding unconventional therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. As we continue to explore the intricate relationship between bee venom and Parkinson's disease, future studies may refine protocols and administration frequencies to unlock the full therapeutic potential of this intriguing avenue. The journey towards innovative Parkinson's disease treatments is a complex one, but each study brings us one step closer to improving the lives of those affected by this challenging condition.


Further Reading:

DeMarco, S., & Profile., F. (n.d.). Musical Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease. Drug Discovery News. https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/musical-medicine-for-parkinson-s-disease-15805

Hartmann A, Müllner J, Meier N, Hesekamp H, van Meerbeeck P, Habert M-O, et al. (2016) Bee Venom for the Treatment of Parkinson Disease – A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. PLoS ONE 11 (7): e0158235. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0158235

Hoehn and Yahr Scale. Physiopedia. (n.d.). https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hoehn_and_Yahr_Scale.

Immunoglobulin E (IGE) defined. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. (n.d.). https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/allergy,-asthma-immunology-glossary/immunoglobulin-e-(ige)-defined.

MDS Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Parkinson’s UK. (2022, November 24). https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/professionals/resources/mds-unified-parkinsons-disease-rating-scale-mds-updrs.

Migrator. (n.d.). Bee Venom therapy: What it is, benefits, safety, Side Effects & Drug Interactions. healthday. https://www.healthday.com/a-to-z-health/alternative-medicine/bee-venom-therapy-647499.html

Professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Dopamine: What it is, Function & Symptoms. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine.

Professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.-b). Nuclear medicine imaging: What it is & how it’s done. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4902-nuclear-medicine-imaging.

WebMD. (n.d.-b). The placebo effect: What is it?. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-the-placebo-effect

 

Media Credits:

[1]: Photo by David Hoffman. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

[2]: Public domain image https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USDA_entomology_bee_inspection_(12813167043).jpg