Tityus serrulatus envenoming in non-obese diabetic mice: a risk factor for severity

Autor(es)

de Oliveira, Guilherme Honda ; Cerni, Felipe Augusto ; Cardoso, Iara Aime ; Arantes, Eliane Candiani ; Pucca, Manuela Berto

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases; v. 22, SEP 17 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Abstract Background In Brazil, accidents with venomous animals are considered a public health problem. Tityus serrulatus (Ts), popularly known as the yellow scorpion, is most frequently responsible for the severe accidents in the country. Ts envenoming can cause several signs and symptoms classified according to their clinical manifestations as mild, moderate or severe. Furthermore, the victims usually present biochemical alterations, including hyperglycemia. Nevertheless, Ts envenoming and its induced hyperglycemia were never studied or documented in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, this is the first study to evaluate the glycemia during Ts envenoming using a diabetic animal model (NOD, non-obese diabetic). Methods Female mice (BALB/c or NOD) were challenged with a non-lethal dose of Ts venom. Blood glucose level was measured (tail blood using a glucose meter) over a 24-h period. The total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured 30 days after Ts venom injection. Moreover, the insulin levels were analyzed at the glycemia peak. Results The results demonstrated that the envenomed NOD animals presented a significant increase of glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin levels compared to the envenomed BALB/c control group, corroborating that DM victims present great risk of developing severe envenoming. Moreover, the envenomed NOD animals presented highest risk of death and sequelae. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the diabetic victims stung by Ts scorpion should be always considered a risk group for scorpion envenoming severity. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/12954-6 - Estudo das toxinas Ts6 e Ts15 do escorpião Tityus serrulatus como potenciais drogas terapêuticas para o tratamento de doenças autoimunes
• Beneficiário: Manuela Berto Pucca
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 12/13590-8 - Isolamento, caracterização molecular e funcional de uma nova toxina presente na peçonha do escorpião Tityus serrulatus.
• Beneficiário: Felipe Augusto Cerni
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado