RESUMO
Dietary supplementation of yoghurt with plants rich in antioxidants such as propolis which is an adhesive resinous material collected by honey bees is recently recommended. This study aimed at investigating the protective effect against the hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. The study showed that yoghurt with propolis had a hypoglycemic effect together with reduction of the serum levels of cholesterol, low density and very low density lipoproteins with elevation of high density lipoproteins. The atherosclerosis indices were affected with reduction of low density lipoproteins-cholesterol/high density lipoproteins-cholesterol and elevation of the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol. This was attributed to the reduction of glucose absorption and inhibition of alpha-glucosidase together with the antioxidant activity with regain of the pancreatic beta-cell function. The hypolipidemic effect and consequently protective effect against atherosclerosis was attributed to the binding, breakdown and reduction of absorption of cholesterol together with the antioxidant activity of both yoghurt and propolis. Down regulation of the expression of the angiogenic gene factors which have a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis may play a role. Thus, this dietary supplementation may be manufactured and used for its value in reducing hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in cases of diabetes mellitus