Haemodynamic effects of the crude venom from nematocysts of the box-jellyfish Chiropsalmus quadrigatus (Habu-kurage) in anaesthetized rabbits

Abstract

Haemodynamic effects of saline-extracted venom from nematocysts isolated from tentacles of the box-jellyfish Chiropsalmus quadrigatus (Habu-kurage) were investigated. In anaesthetized rabbits, i.v. injections of the venom produced hypotension following a transient hypertension. Mean femoral arterial blood flow markedly decreased immediately after the injection and femoral vascular resistance increased. Left ventricular d P/d t remarkably decreased after a transient and small increase, and heart rate decreased. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure markedly elevated. All of the above changes by 0.2–5 μg/kg of the venom expressed as the amount of protein were seen dose-dependently and occurred without tachyphylaxis. In five of seven animals received an injection of the venom at 10 μg/kg, irreversible cardiac arrest occurred. Changes produced by 1 or 2 μg/kg of the venom were significantly attenuated either by heating the venom at 40 °C for 10 min or by pretreatment with diltiazem. These results indicate that the venom from Habu-kurage has both vasoconstrictor and cardiodepressive effects, and suggest that these thermolabile actions may be due partly to activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels and probably subsequent calcium-overload.