Abstract
In the present study, the effects of Polybia paulista venom (PPV) on renal and vascular tissues were investigated. Isolated kidneys perfused with PPV (1 and 3 μg/mL) had increased perfusion pressure, renal vascular resistance, urinary flow, and glomerular filtration rate; and reduced sodium tubular transport. Histological evaluation demonstrated deposits of proteins in Bowman's space and tubular lumen, and focal areas of necrosis. The venom promoted a cytotoxic effect on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. A significant increase in lactic dehydrogenase levels was observed in response to venom exposure. In isolated mesenteric vascular beds, pressure and vascular resistance augmented in a dose-dependent manner. PPV increased the contractility of aortic rings maintained under basal tension. This contractile response was inhibited when preparations were maintained in Ca2+-free medium. Likewise, verapamil, a voltage-gated calcium channel blocker, also inhibited the contractile response. In this study, phentolamine, a blocker of α-adrenergic receptor blocker, significantly reduced the contractile effect of PPV in the aortic ring. In conclusion, PPV produced nephrotoxicity, which suggests a direct effect on necrotic cellular death in renal tubule cells. The vascular contractile effect of PPV appears to involve calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels via adrenergic regulation.
Highlights
In Brazil, there are several species of social wasps and little is known about the toxicological properties of their venoms
Despite the yet unknown profile of toxicological actions elicited by Polybia paulista venom (PPV) on kidney tissue, there is a general assumption that it may exert a direct nephrotoxic effect, which is involved in the development of acute renal failure eventually observed in patients attacked by wasps [9]
We demonstrated that PPV induced mild focal acute tubular necrosis
Summary
In Brazil, there are several species of social wasps and little is known about the toxicological properties of their venoms. The constituents of PPV – such as melittin, apamin, phospholipases, hyaluronidases, acid phosphatases, proteases, nucleases, histamine and degranulating peptide mastoparan – are reported to be components of Vespinae venoms, and have direct and indirect cytotoxic, hemolytic, neurotoxic and vasoactive properties [3,4,5,6]. Incidents involving these insects can be harmful, with a large number of patients, mainly allergic individuals, developing severe complications, including acute renal failure (ARF) [7, 8]. Vinhote JFC, et al Renal and vascular effects of Polybia paulista wasp venom mastoparans, polycationic peptides isolated from PPV, cause apoptosis involving caspase-signaling pathways with mitochondrial damage, and cytokine activation [15]
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