title: Behavioral, histopathological and biochemical impairments observed in mice envenomed by the scorpion: Hottentota gentili (Pallary, 1924).
abstract: Hottentota gentili is a black scorpion which has been considered as dangerous specie by many authors. However there are no data regarding minimal lethal dose and effects of the scorpion venom till now. We therefore aimed, by the present investigation, to assess on the one hand, the LD50 of H. gentili venom by sublethal injection and the effects on some vital organs, by a histological and a biochemical tools. On the other hand, the possible neurobehavioral impairments, in Swiss mice, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h following envenomation. The LD50 of H. gentili scorpion venom was found to be 0.46 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection route. Venom produced focal fragmentation of myocardial fibers, while lungs showed rupture of the alveolar structure. Intestines showed selective histopathological changes. Concomitantly, there was a significant rise in the serum enzymes levels, as well as hyperkalemia and a high level of plasma albumine and creatine. Proteinuria was also observed. The observed behavioral effects were a hypoactivity in the both experiments 30 min and 3 h after injection. The envenomation produced an increased immobility time only 30 min and 3 h post injection in the tail suspension test (TST).
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, Department of Biology, PO Box 2390, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco.
authors.forename: Moulay Abdelmonaim
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: El Hidan
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, Department of Biology, PO Box 2390, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; Polyvalent Laboratory of Research & Development LPVRD, Department of Biology, Polydisciplinary Faculty, University Sultan Moulay Slimane, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
authors.forename: Oulaid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Touloun
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences, Pharmacology and Environment Unit, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi University Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: El Hiba
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco.
authors.forename: Abderrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chait
authors.affiliation: Immuno-Parasitology and Physiology Unit, Laboratory of Food, Environment and Health, Faculty of Sciences Technics-Gueliz, Marrakesh, Morocco.
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eddine Hafid
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, Department of Biology, PO Box 2390, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco. Electronic address: aboumezzough@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boumezzough
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006836:Hydro-Lyases / Q000097:blood; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D012605:Scorpions / Q000378:metabolism*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D012709:Serum Albumin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D006836:Hydro-Lyases; C045581:lactate dehydratase
keywords: Behavior; Biochemical disturbances; Histopathology; Hottentota gentili; Scorpion venom