*2.6. Statistics*

All values were expressed as means ± SE. For each group of data, normality (the Kolmogorov– Smirnov test) and equal variance tests (Levene's test) were performed and data that were not normally distributed were log-transformed before the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The statistical significance of di fferences in body weight, food intake, and fluid intake between groups was determined via a repeated-measures ANOVA. The statistical significance of di fferences in muscle weight, MGO-derived AGEs content, and mRNA expression was analyzed using two-way ANOVA with propolis and MGO as the main factors. In the event of significant main e ffects and/or interactions, post hoc Tukey-Kramer tests were performed. Di fferences between groups were considered statistically significant at *p* < 0.05. All statistical analyses were performed using the Ekuseru-Toukei 2012 software (Social Survey Research Information, Tokyo, Japan).
