Neuropathophysiological Effect and Immuno-Inflammatory Response Induced by Kaliotoxin of <b><i>Androctonus</i></b> Scorpion Venom

Abstract

Objective: Kaliotoxin (KTX) is a neurotoxin purified from Androctonus scorpion venom. Purification and pharmacological and immunological characterization of this neurotoxin has been extensively studied, but its biological effects have not. The ability of KTX to induce neuropathophysiological and immuno-inflammatory effects was investigated. Methods: NMRI mice were injected with a sublethal dose of KTX (20 ng/20 g of body weight) or saline solution via the intra-cerebro-ventricular route. Tissue damage and immunological biomarkers such as eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) were analyzed in serum, brain, lung, and heart tissue. Protein levels, LDH, and CPK activities were also determined in serum 24 h after injection. Results: In this study, KTX injection induced severe alterations in the cerebral cortex, myocardium, and pulmonary parenchyma. Tissue damage was correlated with seric increase in creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. KTX also induced an immuno-inflammatory response distinguished by cell infiltration characterized by a significant increase in EPO and MPO activities in the brain, heart, and lungs. This infiltration was also associated with an increase in albumin, α-, β-, and γ-globulin fractions, and NO release. Conclusion: KTX binding to its targets in CNS (Kv1.1 and Kv1.3 channels) may induce severe modifications in the structure and function of various organs associated with the activation of immuno-inflammatory reactions.

Effectiveness of the Androctonus Australis Hector Nanobody Nbf12-10 Antivenom to Neutralize Significantly the Toxic Effect and Tissue Damage Provoked by Fraction of Androctonus mauretanicus (Morocco) Scorpion Venom

“…More recently, similar structural damage in brain tissue (i.e., edema, hemorrhage, neuronal darkness) were evoked by a small scorpion toxin called Kaliotoxin isolated from Aah [52].…”

Neuro‐Modulation of Immuno‐Endocrine Response Induced by Kaliotoxin of Androctonus Scorpion Venom

“…The high distribution of Kv1.3 and Kv1.1 channels in the central nervous system could explain the significant toxicity of KTX when injected by i.c.v. route .…”

“…Recently, previous studies have reported that KTX, injected by i.c.v. route, induced severe alterations on structure and functions of central and peripheral nervous systems associated to an immuno‐inflammatory response . Moreover, these studies showed also that the activation and the release of inflammatory mediators (cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide) may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of the toxicity and may be responsible of the inflammatory manifestations and organ failure.…”

Systemic Responses following Brain Injuries and Inflammatory Process Activation Induced by a Neurotoxin of <b><i>Androctonus</i></b> Scorpion Venom

“…However, injected via the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) route, it seems to be very toxic [5,11]. The high distribution of Kv1.3 and Kv1.1 channels in the central nervous system (CNS) could explain the significant toxicity of KTX 2 when injected by the i.c.v.…”

“…Proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α are known to induce various local and systemic responses [11,12,13]. According to the strong connection between inflammation and a wide variety of physiological processes, the possibility that the activation of the inflammatory response induced by KTX 2 may provoke diverse biological disorders and severe modifications in the structure and function of various organs cannot be excluded.…”