Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO1113

Royal Jelly Modulates Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Pilot Intervention Study

Session Information

• Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
  November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

• 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Authors

• Mafra, Denise, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Denise Mafra, PhD

• Sant'Anna, Bruna, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Bruna Sant'Anna, PhD

• Meirelles, Julia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Julia Meirelles

• de Oliveira Ferreira, Guilherme, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Guilherme de Oliveira Ferreira

• Alves, Thais Ionara, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Thais Ionara Alves, MA, MMSc

• Ribeiro-Alves, Marcelo, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Marcelo Ribeiro-Alves

• Rosa, Thiago S., Universidade Católica Brasília, Taguatinga, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Thiago S. Rosa

• Kemp, Julie Ann, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Julie Ann Kemp, MSc, PhD

• Ribeiro, Marcia Maria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Marcia Maria Ribeiro, PhD

• Rodrigues, Marcela de Araujo, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Marcela de Araujo Rodrigues

• Berretta, Andresa, Apis Flora Indl. Coml. Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

Andresa Berretta, PhD

• Cardozo, Ludmila F.M.F., Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Ludmila F.M.F. Cardozo, PhD

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) involves inflammatory and metabolic disturbances, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. This study aimed to assess whether Royal Jelly (RJ), rich in bioactive compounds, could improve these markers in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved HD patients who were allocated into two groups: an intervention group (300 mg of RJ/day) and a placebo group, both for two months. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) levels were quantified in blood samples by ELISA, along with the metabolic markers adiponectin and irisin.

Results

Twenty-one patients completed the study: RJ group [5 women, 7 men, 49 (12.9) years, BMI, 26;4 (3,6) Kg/m²], placebo group [3 women, 6 men, 44 (12.8) years, BMI, 25.2 (6,2) Kg/m²]. Compared to the placebo group, RJ supplementation led to a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17 and TGF-β (Figure 1A and 1B), while simultaneously increasing the plasma concentrations of the metabolic markers adiponectin and irisin (Figure 1C and 1D).

Conclusion

After two months of intervention, the RJ group exhibited significant immunometabolic modulation. These results highlight the potential of RJ as a complementary strategy for modulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways.

Comparison of pre- and post-intervention markers in the placebo (P) and royal jelly (RJ) groups. Gray box and strip plots show data distribution; black circles represent estimated marginal means from linear fixed-effects models, adjusted for baseline confounders. Black horizontal bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.

Funding

• Government Support – Non-U.S.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• doi: 10.1681/ASN.2025kwkt652f