Effect of Tityus serrulatus scorpion toxin on serum gastrin levels in anaesthetized rat

Abstract

Scorpion toxin induces gastric secretion of acid and pepsin in rats. These effects seem to be mediated by the release of acetylcholine and histamine. However, the role of gastrin in the scorpion-toxin-induced gastric secretion is unknown. We describe the effects of the T 1 fraction purified from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom on serum and on antral tissue gastrin levels in anaesthetized rats. Gastrin levels in serum and in the antral mucosa were measured before and at intervals 5, 15, 30, 60, 90 up to 120 min after the intravenous injection of saline or the T 1 fraction of scorpion venom (0.25 mg/kg) into anaesthetized rats. Antral G-cells were submitted to immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. The data on gastrin were correlated with the gastric juice volume, and the acid and pepsin output increases induced by toxin. Scorpion toxin induced a significant increase in volume, acid output and pepsin output of gastric juice and gastrin serum levels 15–60 min after injection. Simultaneous measurements of antral gastrin levels did not show significant effects. The number of dense, intermediate and empty granules per μm 2 in the cytoplasm of antral G-cells was not significantly changed 60 min after saline or toxin injection. Scorpion toxin significantly increased serum gastrin; levels in rats.