Comparison of the neurotoxic and myotoxic effects of two Moroccan scorpion venoms and their neutralization by experimental polyclonal antivenom

Oukkache N 1 , Ahmad Rusmili MR 2 , Othman I 2 , Ghalim N 3 , Chgoury F 3 , Boussadda L 3 Show all authors , Elmdaghri N 3 , Sabatier JM 4

Affiliations 

  • 1 Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco. Electronic address: oukkache.naoual@gmail.com
  • 2 Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
  • 3 Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
  • 4 Laboratory INSERM UMR 1097, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy 163, Avenue de Luminy, Bâtiment INSERM TPR2, Case 939, 13288 Marseille, France. Electronic address: sabatier.jm1@libertysurf.fr
Life Sci, 2015 Mar 1;124:1-7.
PMID: 25623852 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.12.031

Abstract

Scorpion venoms contain complex mixtures of molecules, including peptides. These peptides specifically bind to various targets, in particular ion channels. Toxins modulating Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Cl(-) currents were described from venoms. The Androctonus and Buthus geni of scorpions are widely distributed in Morocco. Their stings can cause pain, inflammation, necrosis, muscle paralysis and death. The myotoxicity is predominantly associated with neurotoxic effects and is a cause of mortality and morbidity. In this study, pharmacological effects of venoms were investigated in vitro on neuromuscular transmission.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications