In vivo pharmacological study on the effectiveness of available polyclonal antivenom against Hemiscorpius lepturus venom

Jalali A (1, 2), Pipelzadeh M H (3, 2), Seyedian R (4), Rahmani A H (5), Omidian N (6

(1) Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; (2) Toxicology Research Center, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; (3) Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; (4) Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; (5) Department of Internal Medicine, Razi Hospital, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; (6) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract: The available Razi Institute antivenom is still, empirically, used by intramuscular (IM) administration for the treatment of scorpion stings in humans by six medically dangerous species including Hemiscorpius lepturus (H. lepturus). The aim of this study was to assess the neutralizing ability and effectiveness of the antivenom in inhibiting hemoglobinuria, biochemical changes, increased microalbuminuria and urinary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) following H. lepturus sting. Simultaneous intramuscular administration of 10 μL and 100 μL of antivenom, after 24 hours, had no significant preventive effect on the extent and degree of hemoglobinuria or proteinuria produced in venom-treated rats. After IM administration of antivenom, no significant changes in decreased red blood cell (RBC) count and hemoglobin were observed. Immediate intramuscular administration of 10 µL of antivenom had no significant effects on both LDH and microalbuminuria. The present findings did not present correlation with clinical signs. Therefore, to fully assess the efficacy of the available antivenom and make appropriate recommendations, more in vivo orin vitro investigations including antigen-antibody interaction, enzymatic analysis and route-dependent administration are required.

Key words: Hemiscorpius lepturus, scorpion, venom, hemolysis, antivenom.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support by the Deputy of Research Affairs of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: September 13, 2010.

Accepted: March 1, 2011.

Abstract published online: March 3, 2011.

Full paper published online: May 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The Deputy of Research Affairs of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

Animal procedures were in accordance with the guidelines for animal care prepared by the Committee on Care and Use of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council, USA. Moreover, the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

AMIR JALALI, Golestan Road, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Phone: +98 611 3738380. Fax: +98 611 3738381. Email: amjalali@hotmail.com.