THE PRESENCE OF PHARMACOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES MYOGLOBIN AND HISTAMINE IN VENOMS

B. V. LIPPS(1), A. A. KHAN(1)

(1)Ophidia Products, Inc. Houston, Texas 77035, USA.

ABSTRACT: It is well documented that several pharmacological substances are released within the victim's body after snakebite. These substances are also believed to be endogenously present in animals, specifically levels of myoglobin and histamine that are reported to rise after envenomation. However, there is no published data regarding the presence of these substances in venoms per se.

This research reports the detection of myoglobin and histamine in snake, scorpion, honeybee, and toad venoms by immunological test. It is unlikely that the rise in levels of myoglobin and histamine is due to that added from the bite, since a single toxin devoid of such components is capable of elevating levels of these substances. Nonetheless, it is likely that the rise in levels of myoglobin and histamine after envenomation is due to the venom or toxin reacting with cells of various organs of the victim. Therefore, this phenomenon can be compared to cancer markers, which are endogeneously present in humans at low levels and elevated in cancerous states.

KEY WORDS: Myoglobin, histamine, snake, honeybee, scorpion, toad, venom, Crotalus atrox, Crotalus polystictus, Naja kaouthia, Ophiophagus hannah, Daboia russelli, Oxyuranus s. scutellatus, Astrotia stokesii, Actinopyga agassizi, Bufo arenarum, Androcetonus australis, Apis mellifera.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

B. V. LIPPS - Ophidia Products, Inc. - 11320 South Post Oak, Suite 203, Houston, Texas 77035, USA. Telephone: 713-723-6845 - Fax: 713-663-7290  Email bvl@ophidia.com