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

K. RADHA KRISHNA MURTHY(1), L. HAGHNAZARI(1)

(1)Department of Physiology, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India.

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.

KEY WORDS: scorpion envenoming, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, Mesobuthus tamulus concanesis.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

K. RADHA KRISHNA MURTHY - Professor of Physiology, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India. Email: krdhakrishnamurthy@yahoo.com