title: The kinin system in the envenomation caused by the Tityus serrulatus scorpion sting.
abstract: Several lines of evidence in experimental animals indicate that the kinin system may participate in the pathogenesis of envenomation by the Tityus serrulatus (Ts) scorpion sting, but there are no studies in humans with regard to this system. In this study, we evaluated the plasma levels of high-molecular (HKg) and low-molecular (LKg) weight kininogens (detected by ELISA), the activities of plasma or tissue kallikreins and kininase II (enzymatic action upon selective substrates), and the Ts plasma venom levels (ELISA). A total of 27 patients (12 males) aged 12-72 were evaluated immediately at hospital admittance. According to the severity of envenomation, patients were classified as mild (n = 15), moderate (n = 8), and severe cases (n = 4). Controls were paired for age and sex. Plasma venom levels were associated with the severity of envenomation. Severe cases presented lower levels of LKg in relation to mild and controls. Inverse correlations were seen between LKg levels and the venom concentration. The results of this study suggested that the kinin system may participate in the pathogenesis of human Ts envenomation and knowledge about this system may be useful to develop new strategies to reduce the damage caused by scorpion envenomation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Y D M
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Fukuhara
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dellalibera-Joviliano
authors.forename: F Q C
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Donadi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007704:Kininogens / Q000097:blood; D007705:Kinins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D001098:Spider Bites / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007704:Kininogens; D007705:Kinins; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D007610:Kallikreins