Tityus serrulatus envenoming in non-obese diabetic mice: a risk factor for severity

Abstract

BackgroundIn Brazil, accidents with venomous animals are considered a public health problem. Tityus serrulatus (Ts), popularly known as the yellow scorpion, is most frequently responsible for the severe accidents in the country. Ts envenoming can cause several signs and symptoms classified according to their clinical manifestations as mild, moderate or severe. Furthermore, the victims usually present biochemical alterations, including hyperglycemia. Nevertheless, Ts envenoming and its induced hyperglycemia were never studied or documented in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, this is the first study to evaluate the glycemia during Ts envenoming using a diabetic animal model (NOD, non-obese diabetic).MethodsFemale mice (BALB/c or NOD) were challenged with a non-lethal dose of Ts venom. Blood glucose level was measured (tail blood using a glucose meter) over a 24-h period. The total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured 30 days after Ts venom injection. Moreover, the insulin levels were analyzed at the glycemia peak.ResultsThe results demonstrated that the envenomed NOD animals presented a significant increase of glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin levels compared to the envenomed BALB/c control group, corroborating that DM victims present great risk of developing severe envenoming. Moreover, the envenomed NOD animals presented highest risk of death and sequelae.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the diabetic victims stung by Ts scorpion should be always considered a risk group for scorpion envenoming severity.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40409-016-0081-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pioneering Study on Rhopalurus crassicauda Scorpion Venom: Isolation and Characterization of the Major Toxin and Hyaluronidase

“…In this study, the electrical method of venom extraction appears to be safe and successful for specimens of R. crassicauda, i.e., permanent injuries were not noticed neither immediately nor within 3 weeks after the milking. The 18 V required for R. crassicauda milking demonstrated to be higher than that used in the literature for T. serrulatus venom extraction (12 V) (22). The thickening of R. crassicauda metasoma probably explains the need for a higher tension (the prefix "crassi" means tick or fat in Latin, hence crassicauda denotes fat-tail).…”

Interleukin-1 Receptor-Induced Nitric Oxide Production in the Pancreas Controls Hyperglycemia Caused by Scorpion Envenomation

“…Yugandhar et al [5] demonstrated that insulin treatment in humans stung by the Indian red scorpion improved the clinical outcome and prevented pulmonary edema. In addition, de Oliveira et al [6] suggested that diabetic victims of scorpionism can be considered a high-risk group, as nonobese diabetic mice were highly susceptible to envenomation by Ts venom (TsV). However, the molecular mechanisms that account for increased glucose levels in circulation remain unknown.…”