title: Determination of the Median Lethal Dose and Electrophoretic Pattern of Hottentotta saulcyi (Scorpiones, Buthidae) Scorpion Venom.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we investigated the lethal potency, electrophoretic protein pattern and in vivo effects of Hottentotta saulcyi scorpion venom in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scorpions were collected at night, by using a UV lamp from Mardin Province, Turkey. Venom was obtained from mature H. saulcyi scorpions by electrical stimulation of the telson. The lethality of the venom was determined by i.v. injections using Swiss mice. In vivo effects of the venom were assessed by using the intraperitoneal route (ip) injections into mice (20±1g) and monitored for 24 h. The protein profiles of the scorpion venom were analyzed by NuPAGE(®) Novex(®) 4-12 % gradient Bis-Tris gel followed by Coomassie blue staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lethal assay of the venom was 0.73 mg/kg in mice. We determined the electrophoretic protein pattern of this scorpion venom to be 4, 6, 9, 31, 35, 40, 46 and 69 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Analysis of electrophoresis indicated that H. saulcyi scorpion intoxicated mice exhibited autonomic nervous system symptoms (tachypnea, restlessness, hyperexcitability, convulsions, salivation, lacrimation, weakness).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hottentotta saulcyi scorpion venom includes short-chain neurotoxins and long-chain neurotoxins according to the electrophoretic protein patterns. The stings of H. saulcyi scorpion must be considered of risk for humans in the southeastern region, Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Alaşehir Vocational School, Celal Bayar University, Alaşehir, Manisa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ersen Aydın
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Yağmur
authors.affiliation: Drug and Medical Device Agency of Turkey, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özcan
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Özkan
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Protozoology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey.
authors.forename: K Zafer
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Karaer
keywords: Hottentotta saulcyi; In vivo Effects; Scorpion; Venom