The primary aim of this study was to analyse the influence of honeybee venom on various aspects of Drosophila melanogaster physiology and to assess the efficacy of adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in mitigating venom toxicity. We examined the harmful effects of venom on the thoracic muscles and central nervous system of Drosophila, as well as the potential use of AKH to counteract these effects. The results demonstrated that envenomation altered AKH levels in the Drosophila CNS, promoted cell metabolism, as evidenced by an increase in citrate synthase activity in muscles, and improved relative cell viability in both organs incubated in vitro. Furthermore, venom treatment reduced the activity of two key antioxidative stress enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, and modified the expression of six genes encoding immune system components (Keap1, Relish, Nox, Eiger, Gadd45, and Domeless) in both organs. The venom also disrupted muscle cell ultrastructure, specifically myofibrils, and increased the release of arginine kinase into the incubation medium. Notably, when administered alongside the venom, AKH influenced the majority of these changes. AKH was the most effective in minimising damage to the ultrastructure of muscle cells and preventing the release of arginine kinase from muscles to the medium; however, in other parameters, the effect was modest or minimal. Given that honeybee venom often affects humans, understanding its actions and potential ways to reduce or eliminate them is valuable and could lead to the development of pharmacologically important compounds that may have clinical relevance.

Department of Biochemistry Molecular Biology Entomology and Plant Pathology Mississippi State University Starkville MS 39762 USA

Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia Branišovská 31 České Budějovice 370 05 Czech Republic

Institute of Entomology Biology Centre CAS Branišovská 31 České Budějovice 370 05 Czech Republic

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