Action of the venom of the scorpion Tityus trinitatis on pancreatic insulin secretion.
In vivo, canine pancreas was stimulated to secrete insulin by the venom of the scorpion Tityus trinitatis; the venom also caused a rise in plasma glucose level as well. The venom-induced insulin secretion was also observed under in vitro conditions in rat pancreatic slices, and this stimulation was dose-related. Maximal effect was observed at 20 micrograms/ml. Atropine (3 x 10(-6) M) completely abolished both venom (20 micrograms/ml)- and acetylcholine (3 x 10(-7) M)-induced insulin secretion. It is suggested that the venom-induced insulin secretion is mediated through muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms.
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D004285:Dogs; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D001285:Atropine