Abstract
Scorpions belonging to the Tityus genus are of medical interest in Brazil. Among them, Tityus stigmurus is the main scorpion responsible for stings in the Northeast region. After a sting, the scorpion venom distributes rapidly to the organs, reaching the kidneys quickly. However, there are few studies concerning the renal pathophysiology of scorpion poisoning. In this study, we evaluated the effects of T. stigmurus venom (TsV) on renal parameters in isolated rat kidneys. Wistar rats (n = 6), weighing 250-300 g, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 6 g/100 mL bovine serum albumin. TsV at 0.3 and 1.0 μg/mL was tested, and the effects on perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), urinary flow (UF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and electrolyte excretion were analyzed. Effects were observed only at TsV concentration of 1.0 μg/mL, which increased PP (controlPP40' = 92.7 ± 1.95; TsVPP40' = 182.0 ± 4.70* mmHg, *p < 0.05), RVR (controlRVR40' = 3.28 ± 0.23 mmHg; TstRVR40' = 6.76 ± 0.45* mmHg, *p < 0.05), UF (controlUF50' = 0.16 ± 0.04; TstUF50' = 0.60 ± 0.10* mL/g/min,*p < 0.05), GFR and electrolyte excretion, with histological changes that indicate renal tubular injury. In conclusion, T. stigmurus venom induces a transient increase in PP with tubular injury, both of which lead to an augmented electrolyte excretion.
Highlights
Scorpion stings are the second most frequent cause of poisoning by venomous animals in humans worldwide (Chippaux and Goyffon 2008).In Brazil, scorpion poisoning is a serious public health issue owing to the increase in number of victim notifications, which rose from 12,704 cases in 2000 to 69,053 cases in 2013 (Brasil 2014)
Correspondence to: Rafael Matos Ximenes E-mail: rafael.ximenes@ufpe.br In Brazil, scorpion poisoning is a serious public health issue owing to the increase in number of victim notifications, which rose from 12,704 cases in 2000 to 69,053 cases in 2013 (Brasil 2014)
The proteins were identified via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization (MALDI) TOF/TOF (MS/MASS SPECTROMETRY (MS)) tandem mass spectrometry, which achieved 14% (4 of 27 spots) successful identifications (Table I)
Summary
Scorpion stings are the second most frequent cause of poisoning by venomous animals in humans worldwide (Chippaux and Goyffon 2008). In Brazil, scorpion poisoning is a serious public health issue owing to the increase in number of victim notifications, which rose from 12,704 cases in 2000 to 69,053 cases in 2013 (Brasil 2014). The clinical symptoms of scorpion poisoning are due to the presence of neurotoxic peptides in the venom Scorpions from the genus Tityus, mainly T. serrulatus, T. bahiensis, and T. stigmurus, are responsible for most of the severe poisoning cases in Brazil (Fundação Nacional de Saúde 2001). T. stigmurus is the main scorpion responsible for poisoning in the Northeast region, where the species is found (Brasil 2012). Several low molecular weight basic proteins (neurotoxins) and bioactive amines (serotonin and histamine) are present in scorpion venoms, including Tityus venom, and act on ion channels in biological membranes (Possani 1984, Gwee et al 2002, Vasconcelos et al 2005)
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