A biodistribution study of Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom and available polyclonal antivenom in rats

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of the present study was to investigate the biodistribution profile of the venom of Hemiscorpius lepturus, the most dangerous scorpion in Iran. Blood and tissue samples were taken at various predetermined intervals during a 400-minute period for the venom and a 360-minute period for the antivenom in rats. The radio-iodination was carried out using the chloramine-T method. The results showed that the descending order of venom uptake was skin, kidneys and intestine, respectively. The descending order of polyclonal antivenom uptake was kidneys, intestine, heart and lungs. The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters of the venom were T elimination half-life = 521.5 ± 12.6 minutes; Vd/F (apparent volume of distribution) = 14.9 ± 3.3 mL; clearance (CL/F, apparent total clearance of the drug from plasma) 0.02 ± 0.005 mL/minute and for the antivenom T elimination half-life = 113.7 ± 7.4 minutes; Vd/F = 13 ± 1.2 mL and CL/F 0.08 ± 0.01 mL/minute. The pharmacokinetics profile comparison of the venom with that of the antivenom shows that serotherapy may be more effective if administered within 2-4 hours following envenomation by H. lepturus.

Characteristics and Lethality of a Novel Recombinant Dermonecrotic Venom Phospholipase D from Hemiscorpius lepturus

“…The mortality rate from H. lepturus envenomation is approximately 60 times higher than the other Iranian scorpions [8]. The most severe toxicity has been primarily reported in children [9]. Unlike other scorpions, the venom of H. lepturus is highly cytotoxic which could be the reason for its complicated clinical manifestations in envenomed people [10].…”

Preparation and Biological Evaluation of 67Gallium- Labeled Iranian Hemiscorpius Lepturus Scorpion Venom

“…The pharmacokinetics parameters and the biodistribution profile of venom during a 400 - minute period for the venom have already been published. This study was performed using the chloramine-T method [ 10 ]. In the present study, the biodistribution of H.lepturus scorpion venom was investigated by the longest available period of lasting radiolabeled venom.…”

Curcumin Protects Mitochondria and Cardiomyocytes from Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis Induced by Hemiscorpius Lepturus Venom

“…Commonly there are only a few case reports on direct cardio-toxic effects of scorpion envenomation in human beings [8]. However, previous studies on the envenomation by H. lepturus indicated that there are in vivo arrhythmogenic and negative effects in rabbits [9,10]. A recent study has shown that the venom from H. lepturus has an ability of cytotoxicity through concentrationand time dependent manner.…”