Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the biodistribution profile of the venom of Hemiscorpius lepturus, the most dangerous scorpion in Iran. Blood and tissue samples were taken at various predetermined intervals during a 400-minute period for the venom and a 360-minute period for the antivenom in rats. The radio-iodination was carried out using the chloramine-T method. The results showed that the descending order of venom uptake was skin, kidneys and intestine, respectively. The descending order of polyclonal antivenom uptake was kidneys, intestine, heart and lungs. The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters of the venom were Telimination half-life = 521.5 ± 12.6 minutes; Vd/F (apparent volume of distribution) = 14.9 ± 3.3 mL; clearance (CL/F, apparent total clearance of the drug from plasma) 0.02 ± 0.005 mL/minute and for the antivenom Telimination half-life = 113.7 ± 7.4 minutes; Vd/F = 13 ± 1.2 mL and CL/F 0.08 ± 0.01 mL/minute. The pharmacokinetics profile comparison of the venom with that of the antivenom shows that serotherapy may be more effective if administered within 2-4 hours following envenomation by H. lepturus.
Highlights
Envenomation by various species of scorpions is a serious public health issue in many regions of the world
Scorpion sting mortality in Iran is mostly due to H. lepturus, it can be stated that this creature is the most dangerous scorpion of this country [4]
One underlying reason is the lack of knowledge of the pharmacokinetic parameters of the venom for this scorpion
Summary
Envenomation by various species of scorpions is a serious public health issue in many regions of the world. The medically relevant species found in this region are Androctonus crassicauda, Mesobuthus eupeus and Hemiscorpius lepturus. A specific polyvalent antivenom is produced by the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute through the immunization of horses against the six medically relevant scorpion species in Iran: Odontobuthus doriae, Mesobuthus eupeus, Androctonus crassicauda, Buthotus saulcyi, Buthotus sach and H. lepturus [6]. Immunotherapy by polyvalent antivenom produced by the Razi Institute of Iran is the conventional treatment for envenomation caused by H. lepturus, though the efficacy of such treatment by intravenous route is controversial. Envenomed patients by this scorpion are usually treated by intravenous
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