Dose-Dependent Serum Biochemical Alterations in Wistar Albino Rats after Palamneus gravimanus (Indian Black Scorpion) Envenomation

Abstract

Palamneus gravimanus envenomated rats showed dose-dependent alterations in serum biochemical parameters. Sub lethal doses of 100, 200, and 400 microg/kg of P. gravimanus venom were injected intramuscularly into rats. Blood samples were collected by heart puncture before and 4 h after crude venom administration. Serum was analyzed for glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, total protein, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST-SGOT), alanine amino-transferase (ALT-SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK). Statistically significant increases in serum levels of glucose, creatinine, AST, ALT, BUN, CPK, and LDH and significant decreases in serum levels of total protein, uric acid, cholesterol, calcium, and potassium 4 h after venom administration could be due to the toxic action of P. gravimanus venom on certain organs in rats.

Biochemical and enzymatic changes after black scorpion Heterometrus fastigiousus Couzijn envenomation in experimental albino mice

“…The serum glucose level increased after scorpion H. fastigiousus envenomation results in hyperglycemia. This result is in agreement with earlier results emerging from scorpion Palamaneus gravimanus envenomation (More et al, 2004). Reduction in insulin hormone and increase in glucagon secretion after Mesobuthus tamulus envenomation caused a sustained fall in the glucose clearance (Sonksen and West, 1978;Radha Krishna Murthy & Anita, 1986).…”

“…Thus, in scorpion envenomation lactate is produced but not utilized, leading to lactate acidosis which inhibits the secretory mechanism of uric acid, thereby increasing the serum uric acid level (Radha Krishna Murthy et al, 2003). In contrast to our ¼ndings, serum uric acid level has been reported to decrease after Leiurus quinquestriatus and Palamneus gravimanus envenomation (Omran and Abdel-Rahman, 2002;More et al, 2004). Low cholesterol is a symptom of depression and hyperthyroidism after scorpion sting (Radha Krishna Murthy and Zare, 1998).…”

“…On the other hand, venom of Asian black scorpions has a high concentration of acetylcholine and noradrenaline as major constituents and causes reversible contraction of chick biventer cervicis muscle by cholinergic and adrenergic actions (Nirthanan et al, 2002). An increase in glucose, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase and lactic dehydrogenase and decrease in total protein, uric acid, cholesterol, calcium and phosphate in blood serum of albino mice in a dosedependent manner after experimental Palamaneus gravimanus envenomation have been reported by More et al (2004).…”

Antivenom reversal of biochemical alterations induced by black scorpion Heterometrus fastigiousus Couzijn venom in mice

“…However, some species within the family Scorpionidae have also been reported as poisonous including H. fastigiousus (11)(12)(13)(14). Still, no species-specific antivenom has been produced to treat black scorpion envenomations up to now.…”

“…Despite the several attempts to investigate the consequences of scorpionism and to produce species-specific antivenom against scorpion venom, Asian black scorpions have attracted little attention. Still, several clinical manifestations of black scorpion stings have been reported (11)(12)(13)(14). Chaubey (11) reported reduction in erythrocyte and increase in total leucocyte counts, blood hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, packed cell volume and plasma hemoglobin in mice envenomated by Heterometrus fastigiousus venom (HFV).…”