Citation

Elatrous S, Ouanes-Besbes L, Ben Sik-Ali H, Hamouda Z, BenAbdallah S, Tilouche N, Jalloul F, Fkih-Hassen M, Dachraoui F, Ouanes I, Abroug F. Toxicon 2015; 104: 1-6.

Affiliation

Laboratoire de Recherche LR12-SP15 (Recherche Cardio- pulmonaire en médecine aigue et Toxicologie). Tunisia; ICU CHU Fatouma Bourguiba Monastir. University of Monastir. Tunisia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.07.003

PMID

26166304

Abstract

To evaluate the dose-effects of Androctonus australis hector (Aah) venom injected subcutaneously on hemodynamics and neurohormonal secretions, 10 anesthetized and ventilated mongrel dogs, were split in two groups (n=5/group). Subcutaneous injection was done with either 0.2mg/kg or 0.125mg/kg of the purified G50 scorpion toxic fraction. Hemodynamic parameters using right heart catheter were recorded and plasma concentrations of catecholamine, troponin, and serum toxic fraction were measured sequentially from baseline to 120min. We identified the dose of toxic fraction evoking characteristic hemodynamic perturbation of severe envenomation, the time-lapse to envenomation, and the associated plasma level. The injection of 0.125mg/kg toxic fraction was not associated with significant variations in hemodynamic parameters, whereas the 0.2mg/kg dose caused envenomation characterized by significant increase in plasma catecholamines, increased pulmonary artery occluded pressure, mean arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance (p<0.05), in association with sustained decline in cardiac output (p<0.001). Envenomation occurred by the 30th minute, and the corresponding concentration of toxic fraction was 1.14ng/ml. The current experiment allowed the identification of the sub-lethal dose (0.2mg/kg) of the toxic fraction of Aah administered by the subcutaneous route. Two parameters with potential clinical relevance were also uncovered: the time-lapse to envenomation and the corresponding concentration of toxic fraction.

Language: en