Effects of atropine and propranolol on lung inflammation in experimental envenomation: comparison of two buthidae venoms

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Hadjer Saidi, Sonia Adi-Bessalem, Djelila Hammoudi-Triki, Fatima Laraba-Djebari
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2013
• Subjects: Scorpion venoms; Cytokines; Lung inflammation; Acetylcholine; Atropine; Propranolol; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic; Hector
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1678-9199-19-8; https://doaj.org/article/1878f99f13d04dbd845d0956f1c3a7b8

Background Previous works had shown that scorpion venom induced neurotransmitter elevation and an inflammatory response associated with various anatomo-pathological modifications. The most dangerous scorpions species in Algeria responsible for these effects are Androctonus australis hector (Aah) and Androctonus amoreuxi (Aam). Results Comparison of the physiopathological effects induced by the two venoms showed differences in the kinetic of cytokine release and in lung injury. The lung edema was only observed in response to Aah venom and it was correlated with cell infiltration. In order to better understand the involved mechanism in inflammatory response, we used two antagonists, atropine (non-selective muscarinic antagonist) and propranolol (β adrenergic antagonist), which lead to a decrease of cell infiltration but has no effect on edema forming. Conclusion These results suggest another pathway in the development of lung injury following envenomation with Aam or Aah venom.