Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Andrés et al. Alteraciones Hematológicas Inducidas por el Veneno del Escorpión Tityus discrepans en Ratones. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Vet. [online]. 2015, vol.56, n.1, pp.009-016. ISSN 0258-6576.

In order to evidence the hematological changes induced by the venom of the scorpion Tityus discrepans, a sublethal dose of Tityus discrepans venom (Tdv, 1 µg/g) in a total volume of 0.1 mL was intraperitoneally injected in BALB/c female mice (20±2 g; n=20). Mice were anesthetized and blood samples were withdrawn by cardiocentesis at 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h after Tdv administration. Hematologic analyses were performed by routine procedures. A significant (p<0.05) increase in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and total protein concentration was observed at 3 h and 6 h, possibly due to dehydration, splenic contraction and acute-phase protein induction. The red blood cell count in envenomed mice was significantly (p<0.05) higher in comparison with the control only at 12 h. Tityus discrepans venom caused neutrophilia and lymphopenia probably as a result of catecholamine release, without significant (p>0.05) changes in absolute leukocyte count. Neither platelets number nor hematimetric indexes significantly (p>0.05) changed. Altogether, these results suggest that Tdv administration induces alterations in the hematologic profile in mice.

Keywords : Scorpion venom; toxic substances; hematology; Tityus discrepans; haematocrit; blood proteins; psychomotor agitation; mice; veneno de escorpión; sustancias tóxicas; hematología; Tityus discrepans; hematocrito; proteínas sanguíneas; agitación psicomotora; ratón.

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