EFFECT OF TITYUS-SERRULATUS SCORPION TOXIN ON SERUM GASTRIN-LEVELS INANESTHETIZED RAT

Scorpion toxin induces gastric secretion of acid and pepsin in rats. T hese effects seem to be mediated by the release of acetylcholine and h istamine. However, the role of gastrin in the scorpion-toxin-induced g astric secretion is unknown. We describe the effects of the T-1 fracti on purified from Tityus serralatus scorpion venom on serum and on antr al tissue gastrin levels in anaesthetized rats. Gastrin levels in seru m and in the antral mucosa were measured before and at intervals 5, 15 , 30, 60, 90 up to 120 min after the intravenous injection of saline o r the T-1 fraction of scorpion venom (0.25 mg/kg) into anaesthetized r ats. Antral G-cells were submitted to immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. The data on gastrin were correlated with the gastric juic e volume, and the acid and pepsin output increases induced by toxin. S corpion toxin induced a significant increase in volume, acid output an d pepsin output of gastric juice and gastrin serum levels 15-60 min af ter injection, Simultaneous measurements of antral gastrin levels did not show significant effects. The number of dense, intermediate and em pty granules per mu m(2) in the cytoplasm of antral G-cells was not si gnificantly changed 60 min after saline or toxin injection. Scorpion t oxin significantly increased serum gastrin; levels in rats. (C) 1998 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.