Spatial analysis of the risk for canine visceral leishmaniasis in an urban area in the State of Sergipe.

Visceral Leishmaniasis is included among the neglected tropical diseases, being directly related to conditions of social vulnerability, in urban environments, dogs act as important reservoirs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of dogs, related risk factors and identify of volatile organic compounds from infected dogs. Peripheral blood samples from 72 dogs were collected for detection using the ELISA test, in addition to hair samples for analysis by GC-MS. Of the evaluated dogs, 13 (18.05%/72) were reactive for canine VL, seven in Aracaju and six in Propriá. Factors related to vegetation, age, place where the dog stays and free access to the street, were associated with a greater chance of the dog becoming infected. Fifty-three compounds were identified from ten canine hair samples, among which 2-butoxyethanol, benzaldehyde, decane, 2-phenylacetaldehyde, nonan-1-ol, 2-phenoxyethanol, nonanoic acid, 8-heptadecene and eicosane were found in seropositive dogs for leishmaniasis. The guardian's posture has been increasingly important, requiring more attention to the dog's health and actions aimed at environmental management in an attempt to reduce cases of canine VL in the state. Even though the identified VOCs have not been associated with leishmanial infection, it is of great use for understanding canine hair substances.

Multitraits evaluation of a Solanum pennellii introgression tomato line challenged by combined abiotic stress.

Rising daily temperatures and water shortage are two of the major concerns in agriculture. In this work, we analysed the tolerance traits in a tomato line carrying a small region of the Solanum pennellii wild genome (IL12-4-SL) when grown under prolonged conditions of single and combined high temperature and water stress. When exposed to stress, IL12-4-SL showed higher heat tolerance than the cultivated line M82 at morphological, physiological, and biochemical levels. Moreover, under stress IL12-4-SL produced more flowers than M82, also characterized by higher pollen viability. In both lines, water stress negatively affected photosynthesis more than heat alone, whereas the combined stress did not further exacerbate the negative impacts of drought on this trait. Despite an observed decrease in carbon fixation, the quantum yield of PSII linear electron transport in IL12-4-SL was not affected by stress, thereby indicating that photochemical processes other than CO2 fixation acted to maintain the electron chain in oxidized state and prevent photodamage. The ability of IL12-4-SL to tolerate abiotic stress was also related to the intrinsic ability of this line to accumulate ascorbic acid. The data collected in this study clearly indicate improved tolerance to single and combined abiotic stress for IL12-4-SL, making this line a promising one for cultivation in a climate scenario characterized by frequent and long-lasting heatwaves and low rainfall.

The efficient physiological strategy of a novel tomato genotype to adapt to chronic combined water and heat stress.

Climate change is increasing the frequency of high temperature shocks and water shortages, pointing to the need to develop novel tolerant varieties and to understand the mechanisms employed to withstand combined abiotic stresses. Two tomato genotypes, a heat-tolerant Solanum lycopersicum accession (LA3120) and a novel genotype (E42), previously selected as a stable yielding genotype under high temperatures, were exposed to single and combined water and heat stress. Plant functional traits, pollen viability and physiological (leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence emission measurements) and biochemical (antioxidant content and antioxidant enzyme activity) measurements were carried out. A Reduced Representation Sequencing approach allowed exploration of the genetic variability of both genotypes to identify candidate genes that could regulate stress responses. Both abiotic stresses had a severe impact on plant growth parameters and on the reproductive phase of development. Growth parameters and leaf gas exchange measurements revealed that the two genotypes used different physiological strategies to overcome individual and combined stresses, with E42 having a more efficient capacity to utilize the limiting water resources. Activation of antioxidant defence mechanisms seemed to be critical for both genotypes to counteract combined abiotic stresses. Candidate genes were identified that could explain the different physiological responses to stress observed in E42 compared with LA3120. Results here obtained have shown how new tomato genetic resources can be a valuable source of traits for adaptation to combined abiotic stresses and should be used in breeding programmes to improve stress tolerance in commercial varieties.

Ventromedial medullary pathway mediating cardiac responses evoked from periaqueductal gray.

Periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a midbrain region that projects to areas controlling behavioral and autonomic outputs and is involved in the behavioral and physiological components of defense reactions. Since Raphe Pallidus (RPa) is a medial medullary region comprising sympathetic premotor neurons governing heart function, it is worth considering the PAG-RPa path. We assessed: i) whether PAG projects to RPa; ii) the amplitude of cardiac responses evoked from PAG; iii) whether cardiovascular responses evoked from PAG rely on RPa. Experiments conducted in Wistar rats (±300 g) were approved by Ethics Committee CEUA-UFG (092/18). Firstly, (n = 3), monosynaptic retrograde tracer Retrobeads was injected into RPa; PAG slices were analyzed. Other two groups (n = 6 each) were anesthetized with urethane (1.4 g/kg) and chloralose (120 mg/kg) and underwent craniotomy, tracheostomy, catheterization of femoral artery and vein and of cardiac left ventricle. In one group, we injected the GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline methiodide (BMI - 40 pmol/100 nL) into lateral/dorsolateral PAG. Another group was injected (100 nL) with the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (20 mM) into RPa, 20 min before BMI into PAG. The results were: i) retrogradely labelled neurons were found in PAG; ii) PAG activation by BMI caused positive chronotropism and inotropism, which were accompanied by afterload increases; iii) RPa inhibition with Muscimol reduced heart rate, arterial and ventricular pressures; iv) the subsequent PAG activation still increased arterial pressure, cardiac chronotropy and inotropy, but these responses were significantly attenuated. In conclusion, PAG activation increases cardiac chronotropy and inotropy, and these responses seem to rely on a direct pathway reaching ventromedial medullary RPa neurons.

Lipid dynamics in LPS-induced neuroinflammation by DESI-MS imaging.

It is well-established that bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can promote neuroinflammation through receptor Toll-like 4 activation and induces sickness behavior in mice. This phenomenon triggers changes in membranes lipid dynamics to promote the intracellular cell signaling. Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is a powerful technique that can be used to image the distribution of lipids in the brain tissue directly. In this work, we characterize the LPS-induced neuroinflammation and the lipid dynamics in C57BL/6 mice at 3 and 24 h after LPS injection. We have observed that intraperitoneal administration of LPS (5 mg/kg body weight) induces sickness behavior and triggers a peripheral and cerebral increase of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels after 3 h, but only IL-10 was upregulated after 24 h. Morphological analysis of hypothalamus, cortex and hippocampus demonstrated that microglial activation was present after 24 h of LPS injection, but not at 3 h. DESI-MS revealed a total of 14 lipids significantly altered after 3 and 24 h and as well as their neuroanatomical distribution. Multivariate statistical analyzes have shown that ions associated with phosphatidylethanolamine [PE(38:4)] and docosatetraenoic acid [FA (22:4)] could be used as biomarkers to distinguish samples from the control or LPS treated groups. Finally, our data demonstrated that monitoring cerebral lipids dynamics and its neuroanatomical distribution can be helpful to understand sickness behavior and microglial activation after LPS administration.

Attraction of the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis to possible biomarker compounds from dogs infected with Leishmania infantum.

Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the primary vector of Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in the Americas. Studies have been carried out to identify new alternatives for monitoring and controlling this sandfly species, particularly with the use of chemical baits. The attractiveness of odours emitted by foxes and alcohols found in some plants has already been demonstrated in laboratory tests with Lu. longipalpis. However, no studies have evaluated the responses of these insects to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by dogs. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects on Lu. longipalpis of individual and blends of VOCs identified in hair from dogs infected with L. infantum. Effects in male and female Lu. longipalpis were assessed using wind tunnel methodology. Individual compounds including octanal, nonanal, decanal and heptadecane showed capacity for activating and/or attracting male Lu. longipalpis. Only decanal and nonanal showed effects on females. The combination of octanal, decanal and heptadecane increased activation and attraction behaviour in male sandflies, as did the blend of octanal and decanal. These findings indicate that VOCs emitted by dogs may be an interesting source of new attractants of sandflies.

ß-lapachone and α-nor-lapachone modulate Candida albicans viability and virulence factors.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is the most important fungal pathogen that causes infections in humans, and the search for new therapeutic strategies for its treatment is essential. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of seven naphthoquinones (ß-lapachone, ß-nor-lapachone, bromide-ß-lapachone, hydroxy-ß-lapachone, α-lapachone, α-nor-lapachone and α-xyloidone) on the growth of a fluconazole-resistant C. albicans oral clinical isolate and the effects of these compounds on the viability of mammalian cells, on yeast's morphogenesis, biofilm formation and cell wall mannoproteins availability. RESULTS: All the compounds were able to completely inhibit the yeast growth. ß-lapachone and α-nor-lapachone were the less cytotoxic compounds against L929 and RAW 264.7 cells. At IC50, ß-lapachone inhibited morphogenesis in 92%, while the treatment of yeast cells with α-nor-lapachone decreased yeast-to-hyphae transition in 42%. At 50µg/ml, ß-lapachone inhibited biofilm formation by 84%, whereas α-nor-lapachone reduced biofilm formation by 64%. The treatment of yeast cells with ß-lapachone decreased cell wall mannoproteins availability in 28.5%, while α-nor-lapachone was not able to interfere on this virulence factor. Taken together, data show that ß-lapachone and α-nor-lapachone exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity against a fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strain, thus demonstrating to be promising candidates to be used in the treatment of infections caused by this fungus.

Adsorption of Dicamba herbicide onto a carbon replica obtained from a layered double hydroxide.

In this work, a carbon replica derived from a vinylbenzenesulfonate-intercalated layered double hydroxide (CR-LDH) was applied to remove the Dicamba organochlorine herbicide from aqueous solution. The samples were characterized by several experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis coupled with differential scanning calorimetry and mass spectrometry (TGA-DSC-MS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption and zeta potential analysis. The CR-LDH sample presents a very high specific surface area (2345 m2 g-1). The adsorption experiment typically followed the Langmuir isotherm model and the adsorption kinetics was best fitted with a pseudo second-order model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Dicamba herbicide onto CR-LDH was 279 mg g-1. CR-LDH presented a higher adsorption capacity than other carbon adsorbent materials reported in the literature.

Toxocara canis: anthelmintic activity of quinone derivatives in murine toxocarosis.

Human toxocarosis is a chronic tissue parasitosis most often caused by Toxocara canis. The seroprevalence can reach up to 50%, especially among children and adolescents. The anthelmintics used in the treatment have moderate efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of quinones and their derivatives against T. canis larvae and the cytotoxicity of the larvicidal compounds. The compounds were evaluated at 1 mg mL(-1) concentration in microculture plates containing third stage larvae in an Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 environment, incubated at 37 °C in 5% CO2 tension for 48 h. Five naphthoxiranes were selected for the cytotoxicity analysis. The cell viability evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays using murine peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice revealed that the naphthoxiranes (1 and 3) were less cytotoxic at a concentration of 0.05 mg mL(-1). The efficacy of naphthoxiranes (1 and 3) was examined in murine toxocarosis also. The anthelmintic activity was examined by evaluating the number of larvae in the brain, carcass, liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and eyes. Compound (3) demonstrated anthelmintic activity similar to that of albendazole by decreasing the number of larvae in the organs of mice and thus could form the basis of the development of a new anthelmintic drug.

Functionalized nanomaterials: are they effective to perform gene delivery to difficult-to-transfect cells with no cytotoxicity?

Nanodiamonds (NDs), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and gold nanorods (NRs) can be functionalized to promote gene delivery to hard-to-transfect cells with higher transfection efficiency than cationic lipids, and inducing less cell death.

Association of IgG immunoglobulin and subclasses level with the severity of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi and therapeutic response to itraconazole.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic, suppurative, granulomatous mycosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between IgG antibody levels and the severity of CBM and therapeutic response of patients to itraconazole. A longitudinal study was conducted in patients with CBM due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi and in healthy subjects with chromomycin skin test (CST)+. The dosage of anti-F. pedrosoi IgG antibody performed in 47 healthy individuals with CST+ showed positivity in 97.5 %, with an average titer of 2,109 [standard deviation (SD) + 3,676)] and a mean optical density (OD) of 1.174 (SD + 0.456), showing positive correlation with the induration area of the CST (mm(2)). The level of antibodies in 55 patients with CBM expressed in OD and titration showed that, before treatment, patients with severe disease had higher levels of IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 when compared with moderate or mild disease (p < 0.05). According to the time of treatment, the mean antibody titers of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 were reduced after treatment (p < 0.05). In the assessment of therapeutic response, there was reduction of IgG3 and IgG titers in patients with rapid response (p < 0.05) and IgG2 on rapid and intermediate response (p < 0.05). There was clear evidence of what are the risk factors for exposure to F. pedrosoi in the daily lives of these subjects, with prospects of preventive measures for the target population. The immunological analysis shows that the antibody anti-F. pedrosoi did not exhibit a protective role against infection caused by this agent.

Sarcosine preconditioning induces ischemic tolerance against global cerebral ischemia.

Brain ischemic tolerance is an endogenous protective mechanism activated by a preconditioning stimulus that is closely related to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Glycine transporter type 1 (GlyT-1) inhibitors potentiate NMDAR and suggest an alternative strategy for brain preconditioning. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of brain preconditioning induced by sarcosine, a GlyT-1 inhibitor, against global cerebral ischemia and its relation to NMDAR. Sarcosine was administered over 7 days (300 or 500 mg/kg/day, ip) before the induction of a global cerebral ischemia model in Wistar rats (male, 8-week-old). It was observed that sarcosine preconditioning reduced cell death in rat hippocampi submitted to cerebral ischemia. Hippocampal levels of glycine were decreased in sarcosine-treated animals, which was associated with a reduction of [(3)H] glycine uptake and a decrease in glycine transporter expression (GlyT-1 and GlyT-2). The expression of glycine receptors and the NR1 and NR2A subunits of NMDAR were not affected by sarcosine preconditioning. However, sarcosine preconditioning reduced the expression of the NR2B subunits of NMDAR. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that sarcosine preconditioning induces ischemic tolerance against global cerebral ischemia and this neuroprotective state is associated with changes in glycine transport and reduction of NR2B-containing NMDAR expression.

Trypan blue exclusion assay by flow cytometry

Dye exclusion tests are used to determine the number of live and dead cells. These assays are based on the principle that intact plasma membranes in live cells exclude specific dyes, whereas dead cells do not. Although widely used, the trypan blue (TB) exclusion assay has limitations. The dye can be incorporated by live cells after a short exposure time, and personal reliability, related to the expertise of the analyst, can affect the results. We propose an alternative assay for evaluating cell viability that combines the TB exclusion test and the high sensitivity of the flow cytometry technique. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of TB to emit fluorescence when complexed with proteins. According to our results, TB/bovine serum albumin and TB/cytoplasmic protein complexes emit fluorescence at 660 nm, which is detectable by flow cytometry using a 650-nm low-pass band filter. TB at 0.002% (w/v) was defined as the optimum concentration for distinguishing unstained living cells from fluorescent dead cells, and fluorescence emission was stable for 30 min after cell treatment. Although previous studies have shown that TB promotes green fluorescence quenching, TB at 0.002% did not interfere with green fluorescence in human live T-cells stained with anti-CD3/fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) monoclonal antibody. We observed a high correlation between the percentage of propidium iodide+CD3/FITC+ and TB+CD3/FITC+ cells, as well as similar double-stained cell profiles in flow cytometry dot-plot graphs. Taken together, the results indicate that a TB exclusion assay by flow cytometry can be employed as an alternative tool for quick and reliable cell viability analysis.

Trypan blue exclusion assay by flow cytometry.

Dye exclusion tests are used to determine the number of live and dead cells. These assays are based on the principle that intact plasma membranes in live cells exclude specific dyes, whereas dead cells do not. Although widely used, the trypan blue (TB) exclusion assay has limitations. The dye can be incorporated by live cells after a short exposure time, and personal reliability, related to the expertise of the analyst, can affect the results. We propose an alternative assay for evaluating cell viability that combines the TB exclusion test and the high sensitivity of the flow cytometry technique. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of TB to emit fluorescence when complexed with proteins. According to our results, TB/bovine serum albumin and TB/cytoplasmic protein complexes emit fluorescence at 660 nm, which is detectable by flow cytometry using a 650-nm low-pass band filter. TB at 0.002% (w/v) was defined as the optimum concentration for distinguishing unstained living cells from fluorescent dead cells, and fluorescence emission was stable for 30 min after cell treatment. Although previous studies have shown that TB promotes green fluorescence quenching, TB at 0.002% did not interfere with green fluorescence in human live T-cells stained with anti-CD3/fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) monoclonal antibody. We observed a high correlation between the percentage of propidium iodide+CD3/FITC+ and TB+CD3/FITC+ cells, as well as similar double-stained cell profiles in flow cytometry dot-plot graphs. Taken together, the results indicate that a TB exclusion assay by flow cytometry can be employed as an alternative tool for quick and reliable cell viability analysis.

Galactone-γ-lactone-dependent ascorbate biosynthesis alters wheat kernel maturation.

Kernel development and maturation involve several well-characterised events, such as changes in ascorbate (ASC) metabolism, protein synthesis and storage, programmed cell death (PCD) of starchy endosperm and tissue dehydration. Despite many studies focusing on these events, whether and how they are metabolically related to each other, remains to be elucidated. In the present investigation, the changes in ASC-related metabolism, PCD occurrence, kernel filling and dehydration have been analysed during kernel maturation, over a 3-year period in plants grown under normal conditions and in plants displaying modified ASC synthesis. The obtained results suggest that ASC plays a pivotal role in the network of events characterising kernel maturation. During this process, a decrease in ASC content occurs. When ASC biosynthesis is improved in the kernel, by feeding the plants with its immediate precursor, L-galactone-γ-lactone (GL), the decrease in ASC, observed during kernel maturation, is delayed. As a consequence, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity is also enhanced. Moreover, a delay in the ASC decrease permits a delay in PCD occurring in kernel storage tissues and in kernel dehydration. Interestingly, the data emerging from the present investigation suggest that the delay in the decrease in ASC content and APX activity also improves kernel filling. The relevance of the ascorbate-dependent redox regulation for kernel productivity is discussed.

Redox regulation in plant programmed cell death.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically controlled process described both in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Even if it is clear that PCD occurs in plants, in response to various developmental and environmental stimuli, the signalling pathways involved in the triggering of this cell suicide remain to be characterized. In this review, the main similarities and differences in the players involved in plant and animal PCD are outlined. Particular attention is paid to the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as key inducers of PCD in plants. The involvement of different kinds of ROS, different sites of ROS production, as well as their interaction with other molecules, is crucial in activating PCD in response to specific stimuli. Moreover, the importance is stressed on the balance between ROS production and scavenging, in various cell compartments, for the activation of specific steps in the signalling pathways triggering this cell suicide process. The review focuses on the complexity of the interplay between ROS and antioxidant molecules and enzymes in determining the most suitable redox environment required for the occurrence of different forms of PCD.

Perfis clínico e hematológico de camundongos submetidos ao envenenamento escorpiônico experimental por Tityus fasciolatus / Hematological and clinical profiles of mice submitted to experimental poisoning with Tityus fasciolatus venom

Estudou-se o quadro clínico do veneno decorrente do envenenamento por Tityus fasciolatus e sua ação refletida nos componentes hematológicos no modelo murino. Para o estudo do perfil hematológico, foram utilizados 54 camundongos Swiss CF1, machos, com 30g, distribuídos em três grupos (G) (n=18) inoculados via subcutânea com: 50µL de PBS (G1); 24µg de veneno de T. fasciolatus (G2) e 8µg de veneno de T. serrulatus (G3). Cada grupo foi subdividido em três subgrupos (n=6) de acordo com o momento da coleta de sangue que foi estipulada em uma, oito e 24h após a inoculação do veneno, e foram realizados o hemograma e a dosagem de proteínas totais e fracionadas. O veneno de T. fasciolatus na dose de 24µg causou piloereção, comportamento nociceptivo, secreção nasal e oral acentuada, dispneia, prurido na face e reflexos exacerbados. No exame hematológico, foram observadas policitemia relativa e leucocitose com linfocitose.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical picture caused by Tityus fasciolatus and its action reflected in mouse blood profile. To study the blood profile, 54 Swiss CF1 mice, male, 30g, distributed into three groups (G) (n= 18) and inoculated subcutaneously with: 50µl PBS (G1), 24µg of venom of T. fasciolatus (G2) and 8µg venom T. serrulatus (G3) were used. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups (n= 6) according to the time of blood collection that was set at 1h, 8h and 24h after inoculation of the venom, and blood profile, total protein and fractionated were evaluated. The venom of T. fasciolatus at a dose of 24µg caused piloerection, behavior pain, nasal and oral sharp, dyspnea, rash on the face and exaggerated reflexes. In blood profile were observed relative polycythemia, leukocytosis with lymphocytosis.

Octenol as attractant to Nyssomyia neivai (Diptera:Psychodidae:Phlebotominae) in the field.

The kairomone octenol is known as attractive to hematophagous Diptera such as mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and midges. There is little evidence that traps baited with octenol are also effective in attracting phlebotomine sand flies. The present report evaluated octenol in modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traps in two experiments: 1) modified CDC trap without light and 2) modified CDC trap with light. The traps were baited with octenol at concentrations of 0.5, 27, and 43 mg/h in Rincão locality, São Paulo, Brazil. Traps without octenol were used as controls. The sand fly Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto) (= Lutzomyia neivai) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) was the prevalent species (99.9%) in both experiments. The results of the experiments showed that traps baited with octenol at 27 and 43 mg/h caught significantly more N. neivai than control and octenol at 0.5 mg/h with and without light. This is the first report that shows that octenol itself is attractive to N. neivai and associated with light traps significantly increases the catches.

Hematological and biochemical profiles of rats submitted to experimental poisoning with Tityus serrulatus venom / Perfis hematológicos de ratos submetidos ao envenenamento escorpiônico experimental por Tityus serrulatus

The hematological and biochemical profiles of newly weaned rats submitted to experimental poisoning with T. serrulatus venom were evaluated. Fifteen recently weaned male Wistar rats (mean weight 130g) were distributed into three equal groups (n = 5). Animals in the control group (group A) received a subcutaneous injection of 400μL of ultra-pure water, while those in the experimental groups received, by identical route, 400μL of a solution containing 100μg (group B) or 450μg (group C) of scorpion venom dissolved in ultra-pure water. Red blood cells indexes, and differential leukocyte and total platelet counts were determined, together with levels of serum glucose, urea, creatinine, lactic dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, insulin, and cortisol. No significant differences between the control and experimental groups regarding red blood cells indexes were found. In contrast, significant increases (P<0.05) in neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes were observed in animals from groups B and C compared with the control group, while the number of platelets decreased. Serum glucose concentration remained unchanged in all groups, but important alterations were observed in the values of urea and creatinine. The results show that scorpion venom was detrimental to renal function as demonstrated by the altered urea and creatinine levels. Pancreatic function was also impaired, as revealed by the increase in amylase activity and the reduction in insulin levels.

Avaliaram-se os perfis hematológico e bioquímico de ratos recém-desmamados submetidos ao envenenamento experimental com veneno de Tityus serrulatus. Quinze ratos Wistar machos, média de peso de 130g, foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em três grupos (n = 5). Os animais do grupo-controle A foram inoculados com 400μL de água ultrapura, os do grupo experimental B receberam 400μL de uma solução contendo 100μg de veneno e os do grupo experimental C receberam 400μL de uma solução contendo 450μg de veneno. Foram determinados os índices da série vermelha, a contagem total e diferencial dos leucócitos e a contagem total de plaquetas, bem como os níveis da desidrogenase lática, aspartato aminotransferase, amilase, glicose, ureia, creatinina, cortisol e insulina. Não houve diferenças significativas entre o grupo-controle e os experimentais com relação aos índices da série vermelha. Foram observados aumentos significativos (P<0,05) no número de neutrófilos, linfócitos e monócitos nos ratos dos grupos B e C, enquanto o número de plaquetas diminuiu. A concentração de glicose permaneceu inalterada em todos os grupos, mas foram observadas importantes alterações nos valores séricos de ureia e creatinina. Esses resultados mostraram que o veneno de escorpião comprometeu o funcionamento dos rins. Como demonstrado pelo aumento da atividade da amilase sérica e a redução dos níveis de insulina, a função pancreática também foi afetada.

Biochemical profile of dogs experimentally envenomed with Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the canine blood and urinary profiles after envenomation by Tityus serrulatus venom. Twelve dogs were randomly distributed into two equal groups. Control group animals received 0.5 mL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injected subcutaneously into the internal portion of the left thigh, whilst dogs in the envenomed group were injected with scorpion venom (250 microg/kg in 0.5 mL PBS). No significant alterations were detected in the urine of envenomed dogs. Levels of plasma glucose and serum urea, creatinine, total protein, potassium, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and amylase were determined. Semi-quantitative analysis of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was performed using an immunochromatographic test. The concentrations of cortisol and insulin were determined using commercial radioimmunoassay kits. Increases in serum cortisol levels in experimental group animals coincided with hyperglycaemia and was probably a response to pain. Increased insulin levels were observed during the hyperglycaemic peaks. Envenomed dogs presented discreet increases in ALT, AST and CK, but no alterations in LDH, amylase, cTnI, urea, creatinine and potassium levels were observed. It was concluded that the venom of T. serrulatus induces blood and urinary biochemical changes in dogs.