Biochemical changes and manifestations of envenomation produced by Odonthobuthus doriae venom in rabbits

ORIGINAL PAPER

Biochemical changes and manifestations of envenomation produced by Odonthobuthus doriae venom in rabbits

Mirakabadi A. Z.^I; Jalali A.^II; Jahromi A. E.^III; Vatanpur H.^III; Akbary A.^I

^IRazi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Hessarak Karaj, Iran

^IIDepartment of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran

^IIIDepartment of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

^{Correspondence to}

ABSTRACT

Many toxins from scorpion venoms cause neurotransmitters release by activating the autonomic system. The aim of the present work was to determine osmotic fragility of red blood cells (RBCs) and serum biochemical changes produced by the venom of Odonthobuthus doriae (O. doriae), a dangerous species of scorpion in Iran. For this study we selected 2 groups, each one containing 10 New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2 ± 0.2 kg. In vivo and in vitro osmotic fragilities as well as packed cell volume (PCV) were determined. Serum was separated and used for determination of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid (UA), triglycerides, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2). Results indicate that Odonthobuthus doriae venom (0.5 mg/kg, IV) causes a significant increase (p<0.05) of serum glucose, UA, PCV, ALT, and AST. Increase was also observed in BUN, but it was not statistically significant. On the other hand a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Increased in vivo osmotic fragility of RBCs was significant too, but in vitro osmotic fragility did not show a significant change. These results support the hypothesis that the biochemical variation caused by scorpion venom can be due to an autonomic storm and release of catecholamines.

KEY WORDS: scorpion venom, Odonthobuthus doriae, biochemical changes, manifestation of envenomation, osmotic fragility of RBCs.

INTRODUCTION

Most scorpion venom effects are attributable to the ability of their constituents to act on the somatic or autonomic nervous systems, which facilitates catecholamines release. Stimulatory effects of scorpion venom on neurotransmitters release, including acetylcholine (6) and noradrenalin (16), have been shown by various researchers. Later, it was demonstrated that scorpion envenomation causes an autonomic storm releasing massive amounts of catecholamines (15, 20).

Hypotheses that believed manifestations of scorpion envenomation were due to the enhanced release of neurotransmitters were further supported by the Mesobuthus tamulus venom action (17, 27). Studies have shown that Mesobuthus tamulus venom causes pancreatitis with an increase in the exocrine secretion of amylase (18). Azevedo et al. show that cardiovascular and respiratory effects of Tityus serrulatus venom are a consequence of acetylcholine release (3). Androctonus crassicauda is the only scorpion in Iran whose clinical effects were studied (25). In preliminary studies, our group observed that O. doriae venom causes positive inotropic arrhythmic effects and increased contractility of the cardiac muscle in guinea pigs. Since pretreatment of heart with propanolol blocks inotropic and increases contractility effects of O. doriae venom, we can infer this venom may have an effect on the autonomic system and enhance the release of catecholamines similarly to some other Buthidae family scorpion venoms.

In an attempt to assess the role of O. doriae venom-induced release of catecholamines and its effects on the nervous system, this study was designed to investigate in vivo effects of the venom on biochemical parameters and the osmotic fragility of RBCs, in vivo and in vitro, in experimental rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Material

Crude scorpion venom was donated by Dr. Akbary, head of the Department of Venomous Animals, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. It was collected by electrically stimulating the telson of scorpion and was freeze-dried. The venom was reconstituted in 0.9% sodium chloride solution to a proper concentration.

Except for heparin sodium, which was prepared from Leo® (Denmark), and definite kits purchased from Sigma®, all other materials were supplied from either Merck® or Fluka®.

Two groups of New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2 ± 0.2 kg (10 animals in each group), one group as control and the other one as experimental, were selected and kept under similar feeding conditions for study.

Methods

Saline and venom (0.5 mg/kg, IV) injection, and blood sampling were carried out via a polyethylene canola (G21) inserted into the marginal ear vein. Blood sampling was performed after overnight fasting, before and one hour after venom and saline administration. Experiments ended with the death of rabbits (100 min average) after venom injection; surviving animals, as control, were killed 2 hours after saline-treatment by overdose of diethyl ether. Post-mortem examinations of lungs were carried out and the lung weight / body weight x 100 index was calculated (2).

Blood collected in tubes containing EDTA was processed for in vivo osmotic fragility (24) and hematocrit (5). Serum was processed for glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides (24), AST, ALT and LDH (L-lactate dehydrogenase) - kits supplied from Sigma® - creatinine, BUN, uric acid, and cholesterol (5, 26).

Osmotic fragility of RBCs was tested after 30 minutes and 24 hours of incubation in vivo. Crude venom at the concentrations of 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.1 mg/ml blood was incubated in vitro and processed for osmotic fragility (21, 24).

Statistical analysis

The biochemical parameters measurements were expressed as the mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). Osmotic fragility values were expressed as the mean of 10 rabbits. Statistical significance in cases of repeated measurements within group, before and after venom / saline treatments, was evaluated by the student T-test. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. All the parameters were determined for 10 rabbits, except LDH, which was carried out for 3 rabbits.

RESULTS

Manifestations of scorpion envenomation

Signs of envenomation were studied 15-25 min after venom injection. Salivation, lacrimation, and muscle excitement along with bronchial secretion and labored breathing indicating pulmonary edema in the later stages were seen in all the animals. In some animals, respiratory changes, comprising periods of bradypnea alternating with tachypnea, were also seen. Agitation and tremor of the face was occasionally observed in the animals. Post-mortem examination of lungs revealed the average lung weight / body weight index for venom-treated rabbits (0.43 ± 0.02) was significantly higher than that of control, saline-treated rabbits (0.3 ± 0.03, p<0.05). Death occurred in an average of 100 min after injection.

Metabolic changes

Blood glucose levels, AST, and ALT were increased after venom injection, 152.2%, 126%, and 111.2%, respectively, which were statistically significant. Triglycerides levels decreased significantly (p<0.005) to 31.1%. However, we obtained results showing decreased LDH activity, but this change was not significant (Table 1).

Creatinine and BUN levels increased, and cholesterol presented a decreased level. However these changes were not statistically significant. A significant increase was observed in hematocrit (p<0.05) and uric acid (p<0.005), respectively (Table 2).

Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in vivo and in vitro

Increased osmotic fragility of RBCs was highly significant (p<0.005) and significant (p<0.05) after 30 min and 24 hours incubation in vivo, respectively. Lyses of RBCs with different sodium chloride concentrations occurred at 0.55% and 0.8% after 30 min and 24 hours incubation, respectively (Figures 1 and 2). Data were compared with maximum fragility (100%) at 0.1% sodium chloride concentration.

Significant changes in osmotic fragility of RBCs were not observed after 30 min and 24 hours incubation in vitro at the venom concentrations 0.03, 0.06, and 0.1 mg / 2 ml of blood (Figures 3 and 4). Data were compared with maximum fragility (100%) at 0.1% sodium chloride concentration.

DISCUSSION

Clinical manifestations of scorpion envenomation appear to be secondary to the activation of both sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system. This manifestation confirms that scorpion envenomation causes an autonomic storm and this fact was also present in other researches (10, 11, 15, 17). In the present study, significant hyperglycemia was seen after O. doriae venom administration. Our findings in hyperglycemia measurement are quite compatible to the results from other studies (1, 8, 13, 17, 23, 27). The proposed mechanism for this effect included: peripheral and central stimulation of the adrenergic system (8, 13, 27), activation of b-receptors with catecholamine and serotonin secretion (1), block of insulin secretion (8), and insulin resistance (27). However, the results of Zare and Ismail demonstrated contraries in relation to hyperglycemia along with hyperinsulinemia (13, 27). This could be due to differences in the dose and route of administration. We believe that hyperinsulinemia is due to insulin resistance rather than hyperglycemia after scorpion venom injection.

The level of triglycerides decreased after venom injection. Some reports notify that the free fatty acids level increases significantly after scorpion venom administration. Our results also confirm previous reports (7, 19, 27). Stimulatory effect of catecholamines on the breaking down of triglycerides has been confirmed in vivo and in vitro (9).

Cholesterol level reduced in this study as previously demonstrated with another scorpion venom (13, 23). This effect could be due to hepatic tissue destruction and hence increased cholesterol excretion through bile or to hepatic failure in biosynthesis of cholesterol.

Increase of AST and ALT levels in the envenomed animals is in agreement with former reports (23, 27). AST as a transferase enzyme is distributed in all parts of the body, but mostly concentrates in the liver and heart, therefore the increase of AST level is attributed to myocardial infarction or hepatic failure. ALT, with similar activity to AST, is considered as a liver-specific enzyme. It increases more and remains longer than AST in hepatic failure or inflammation (22). Therefore, the increase of AST and ALT levels may be due to a direct action of the venom on liver and heart.

Increases in BUN, uric acid, and creatinine in this work are in accordance with other studies (13, 23). They are the final products of protein metabolism, and their concentration would increase in renal failure. Renal failure and decrease of glomerular filtration may be related to cardiac failure (23).

Hematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV) was increased. This finding is in accordance with previous reports on Mesobuthus tamulus venom (27), but it is contrary to the findings of Ismail in 1988 (13). This effect may be due to an increase in angiotensin II which has been further emphasized by Murthy (14, 22).

Increased osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in vivo is supported by other studies (14, 27). This could be due to hyperthermia and acidosis following scorpion envenomation (4, 12, 27). However increased osmotic fragility after 24 hours is attributed to the increase of free fatty acids and block of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase (4). No change in the osmotic fragility in vitro indicates that there is no direct action of O. doriae venom on RBCs.

Hence, according to the results obtained, this study supports the hypothesis that O. doriae venom, like other dangerous scorpion venoms, enhances release of catecholamines with consequent stimulation of the somatic and autonomic nervous system. In addition, this study suggests that O. doria venom may be inefficient in the utilization of metabolic substances by its direct action on the heart and/or liver, inhibition of insulin secretion, and insulin resistance, but further studies are needed to provide more evidences for validating this hypothesis.

Received: March 15, 2005

Accepted: June 15, 2005

Published online: February 24, 2006

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  22 Mar 2006
• Date of issue
  2006

History

• Accepted
  15 June 2005
• Received
  15 Mar 2005