Effect of selected anti-inflammatory drugs on the lethal actions of Leiurus quinquestriatus venom

Abstract

The cumulative actions of scorpion neurotoxins are complex and may be traced to activation of different ion channels with subsequent release of various transmitters and modulators including inflammatory mediators. This could lead to various pathological manifestations such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and multiple organ failure (MOF). Several approaches have been advocated to treat the multitude of scorpion-venom-elicited pathological changes. However, few have tried to combat the venom-induced effects on the inflammatory process, which manifest as ARDS, SIDS and MOF. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the capability of inhibitors of different steps of the inflammatory sequence of events in scorpion envenomation to ameliorate the detrimental action of the venom and prolong survival of mice injected with Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriatus (LQQ) venom. Animals were divided into groups (n = 10) and given montelukast (10 or 20 mg.kg-1, orally), hydrocortisone (5 or 10 mg.kg-1, intravenously) or indomethacin (10 or 20 mg kg-1, intravenously). Then, all animals were subcutaneously injected with either 0.25 or 0.3 mg.kg-1 LQQ venom. Signs and symptoms of envenomation were recorded and survival percentages after 24 hours as well as survival time were determined in each group. To analyze data, we utilized Covariance Wilcoxon survival statistics and survival distribution curves. In general, when compared to venom alone, administration of montelukast (p<0.001), hydrocortisone (p<0.05) and indomethacin (p<0.05) prolonged survival time and increased the percentage of surviving animals per group, with montelukast exhibiting the greatest protecting power. Thus, anti-inflammatory drugs may play an important role in protection against the lethal effects of scorpion venoms

Comparative study between peripherally and centrally acting sublethal and lethal doses of Leiurus quinquestriatus scorpion venom in rabbits: The usefulness of the sodium channel blocker lidocaine

“…Most signs and symptoms of scorpion envenomation have been attributed to action of venom neurotoxins mainly on Na + channels and the resultant exaggerated release of various neurotransmitters and mediators, ultimately leading to multiple organ dysfunction/failure, as seen in this study, with death in fatal cases usually due to cardiorespiratory failure (Fatani et al, 1998(Fatani et al, , 2000(Fatani et al, , 2010Fukuhara et al, 2003;Abdoon et al, 2006).…”

Mesobuthus tamulus venom induces acute respiratory distress syndrome in rats involving additional mechanisms as compared to oleic acid model

“…Pulmonary edema can be attributed to both cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic factors (Isbister and Bawaskar, 2014;Sofer and Gueron, 1988;Bahloul et al, 2013;Amaral et al, 1994;Deshpande and Akella, 2012). The non cardiogenic factors include pulmonary edema producing toxin (PO-Tx) isolated from Mesobuthus tamulus venom, inflammatory mediators, direct toxicity etc (Abdoon et al, 2006;Adi-Bessalem et al, 2012;Deshpande et al, 1999Deshpande et al, , 2005Dutta and Deshpande, 2011;Kanoo et al, 2009a;Saidi et al, 2013;Pandey and Deshpande, 2004;Petricevich, 2010). In addition, ventilatory changes have also been reported in mice after scorpion envenomation (Paneque-Peres et al, 2009).…”