THE BLOOD LEVELS OF GLUCAGON, CORTISOL, AND INSULIN FOLLOWING THE INJECTION OF VENOM BY THE SCORPION (Mesobuthus tamulus concanesis, POCOCK) IN DOGS

Abstract

Severe envenoming was induced in two groups of experimental dogs after subcutaneous (SQ) injection of venom of the scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus concanesis, Pocock) (3.0 and 3.5 mg/kg body weight). The circulating levels of blood sugar, insulin, glucagon, and cortisol were assayed at 0, and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after venom injection. There was an increase in the circulating levels of blood sugar, insulin, glucagon, and cortisol following envenoming. Scorpion envenoming causes an autonomic storm resulting in a massive release of catecholamines, angiotensin II, glucagon, and cortisol accompanied by changes in insulin secretion. The rise in the counter-regulatory hormones (glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines) oppose the anabolic actions of insulin resulting in a variety of clinical manifestations. These changes may lead to a syndrome of fuel-energy deficits and to an inability of the vital organs to utilise the existing metabolic substrates, ultimately resulting in multisystem organ failure (MSOF) and death

Consequences of Mesobuthus tamulus gangeticus (Pocock, 1900) envenomation in albino mice

“…Serum glucose level increased after M. tamulus gangeticus envenomation, resulting in hyperglycemia. This could be due to reduced insulin secretion, excessive release of catecholamines, decreased thyroid hormone levels, and increased cortisol and glucagon levels observed during earlier studies with other scorpion species (5,14,15,27). Reduced insulin and increased glucagon secretion causes a sustained fall in glucose clearance and promotes glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, thereby increasing blood glucose levels (28).…”

“…Adrenergic symptoms occur with low venom doses, whereas cholinergic symptoms occur with high venom doses, and this duality is the result of the difference in the sensitivity to these neurotransmitters among different organ systems (9). The venom of some red scorpions of the Buthoid family causes acute myocarditis, transient hypertension followed by hypotension, intravascular coagulation, acute pancreatitis, pulmonary edema, increased levels of catecholamines, angiotensin II, glucagon and cortisol, as well as decreased thyroxine and insulin secretion (3,6,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Due to their heterogeneous nature, scorpion venoms show variable reactions in the victim.…”

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

“…In addition, the increase in catecholamines during scorpion envenomation influences the deregulation of hormones such as glucagon and cortisol, as well as the inhibition of insulin release [19]. The increase in catecholamines, cortisol, and glucagon is opposed to the anabolic actions of insulin, leading to an inability of the organs to use glucose, thus contributing to the appearance of clinical symptoms and multisystem organ failure [20].…”

Incidence, mechanisms and impact outcome of hyperglycaemia in severe scorpion-envenomed patients

“…[17][18] Mechanisms of hyperglycaemia in severe scorpion envenomation Scorpion-envenoming syndrome results in a severe autonomic storm with a massive release of catecholamines, increased levels of glucagon, cortisol, thyroid hormones and either suppressed insulin levels or hyperinsulinaemia (insulin resistance). 19,20 The rise in the counter-regulatory hormones (glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines) opposes the anabolic actions of insulin, leading to hyperglycaemia. As a consequence, hyperglycaemia can be due to the increase in glycogenolysis 19,20 or a resistance to insulin.…”