title: Comparison of the neurotoxic and myotoxic effects of two Moroccan scorpion venoms and their neutralization by experimental polyclonal antivenom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Scorpion venoms contain complex mixtures of molecules, including peptides. These peptides specifically bind to various targets, in particular ion channels. Toxins modulating Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Cl(-) currents were described from venoms. The Androctonus and Buthus geni of scorpions are widely distributed in Morocco. Their stings can cause pain, inflammation, necrosis, muscle paralysis and death. The myotoxicity is predominantly associated with neurotoxic effects and is a cause of mortality and morbidity. In this study, pharmacological effects of venoms were investigated in vitro on neuromuscular transmission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effects of Androctonus mauretanicus (Am) and Buthus occitanus (Bo) venoms were investigated using the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparations. The protective activity of antivenom was also investigated. The antivenom was made from serum of horse that was hyperimmunized with Bo and Androctonus australis hector (Aah) venoms and one venom from Middle East species (Lq). The protective activity of the antivenom was assessed on the neuromuscular system by using stimulated chick nerve-muscle. The results were compared with lethal activity neutralization in mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Am and Bo venoms contain myotoxins and postsynaptic neurotoxins. In agreement with lethal potencies of these venoms in mice, Am venom displays greater neurotoxicity and myotoxicity. The antivenom prevented lethality caused by Am, Bo and Aah venoms. The antivenom did not prevent toxic effects caused by Am venom whereas it neutralized Bo venom.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Am and Bo venoms contain distinct toxins that are responsible for myotoxicity and neurotoxicity. It would be appropriate to add Am venom to produce more efficient antivenom.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco. Electronic address: oukkache.naoual@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Naoual
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oukkache
authors.affiliation: Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Muhamad Rusdi
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ahmad Rusmili
authors.affiliation: Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Iekhsan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Othman
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
authors.forename: Noreddine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghalim
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chgoury
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
authors.forename: Lofti
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boussadda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
authors.forename: Naima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Elmdaghri
authors.affiliation: Laboratory INSERM UMR 1097, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy 163, Avenue de Luminy, Bâtiment INSERM TPR2, Case 939, 13288 Marseille, France. Electronic address: sabatier.jm1@libertysurf.fr.
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sabatier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002645:Chickens; D006736:Horses; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D051379:Mice; D009018:Morocco; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012605:Scorpions
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D009498:Neurotoxins; D012604:Scorpion Venoms
keywords: Androctonus mauretanicus; Antivenom; Buthus occitanus; Chick biventer cervicis method; ED50; Lethality; Myotoxicity; Neurotoxicity; Polyclonal; Scorpion toxin; Scorpion venom