Scorpion envenoming and the role of insulin

Abstract

Scorpion envenoming results in a severe autonomic storm with a massive release of catecholamines, increased angiotensin II and inhibition of insulin secretion. These hormonal alterations could be responsible for the pathogenesis of a variety of clinical manifestations. Under these conditions, scorpion envenoming essentially results in a syndrome of fuel-energy deficits and an inability to utilize the existing metabolic substrates by vital organs causing multi-organ system failure and death. Based on our animal experiments in which insulin administration reversed the metabolic and ECG changes induced by scorpion envenoming and treating the poisonous scorpion sting victims with insulin, we consider that insulin has a primary metabolic role in preventing and reversing the cardiovascular, haemodynamic, and neurological manifestations and pulmonary oedema induced by scorpion envenoming. The use of continuous infusion of regular crystalline insulin at the rate of 0.3 U/g glucose and glucose at the rate of 0.1 g/kg/hr, with supplementation of potassium as needed and maintenance of fluid electrolytes and acid-base balance, has become a routine protocol in our setting for treating the victims of scorpion envenoming.