SUB-LETHAL INJECTION OF HONEYBEE VENOM DECREASED THE LEVELS OF ENDOGENOUSLY PRESENT SUBSTANCES IN ORGANS OF MICE

B. V. LIPPS(1)

(1)Ophidia Products Inc., 11320 South Post Oak, Suite 203,  Houston, Texas 77035 USA

ABSTRACT: Pharmacological substances such as adenosine deaminase (ADA), collagen, histamine, IgE, myoglobin, and nerve growth factor (NGF) are endogenously present in animals. Research from this laboratory reported decreased levels of ADA, histamine, IgE, and NGF in organs of mice injected with sub-lethal doses of cobra venom. The goal of this research is to observe the levels of ADA, collagen, histamine, IgE, myoglobin, and NGF in certain organs of mice injected with venom from the bee Apis mellifera. Adult Balb/c female mice IM injected with half lethal dose of bee venom were sacrificed after 2 and 8 hours for removal of organs. The homogenates of the organs were assayed by ELISA for ADA, collagen, histamine, IgE, myoglobin, and NGF using respective antisera. Organs from mice injected with PBS were used as controls. It was observed that there were decreased levels of ADA, collagen, histamine, IgE, myoglobin, and NGF in certain organs after 2 h and tremendous decrease after 8 h. This is the first report showing the pharmacokinetics of ADA, collagen, histamine, IgE, myoglobin, and NGF as consequence of honeybee envenomation.

KEY WORDS: honeybee venom, adenosine deaminase, collagen, histamine, IgE, myoglobin, nerve growth factor.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

B. V. LIPPS - Ophidia Products Inc., 11320 South Post Oak, Suite 203,  Houston, Texas 77035 USA. Fax: 1 713 663-7290 Email bvl@ophidia.com