Scorpion venom is a rich source of biomolecules, which can perturb physiological activity of the host on envenomation and may also have a therapeutic potential. Scorpion venoms produced by the columnar cells of venom gland are complex mixture of mucopolysaccharides, neurotoxic peptides and other components. This study was aimed at cataloguing the elemental composition of venoms obtained from me...

OBJECTIVE This study was to evaluate the levels of NT-proBNP in patients with myocarditis which occurred after a scorpion sting envenomation. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 30 patients with scorpion sting envenomation and 21 patients with heart failure which was caused by cardiomyopathy, were prospectively studied. The data included the patient demographics, clinical features, echocardiograp...

In this study, the events following application of the insecticide Demand 2.5 concentrated solution (CS) in the field, to control Tityus stigmurus, were investigated. Data on attitudes and practices relating to scorpionism were collected using a questionnaire. During the months of May to July 2005, 69 premises were monitored on different days following insecticide treatment, focusing on scorpio...

Small conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels (SK channels) distributing in the nervous system play an important role in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity. Most pharmacological properties of them are determined by short-chain scorpion toxins. Different from most voltage-gated potassium channels and large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels, SK channels are only inhibi...

K(+) channels selectively transport K(+) ions across cell membranes and play a key role in regulating the physiology of excitable and nonexcitable cells. Their activation allows the cell to repolarize after action potential firing and reduces excitability, whereas channel inhibition increases excitability. In eukaryotes, the pharmacology and pore topology of several structural classes of K(+) c...

Scorpion envenomation is a major public health problem in tropical and sub-tropical countries, especially in Africa, MiddleEast, Latin America and India. At times it poses a significant lifethreatening acute time limiting cardiovascular emergency. Irrespective of different species of scorpion, similar cardiovascular effects are reported. Irrespective of the understanding of the pathophysiology ...

This review categorizes functionally validated actions of defined scorpion toxin (SCTX) neuropeptides across ion channel subclasses, highlighting key trends in this rapidly evolving field. Scorpion envenomation is a common event in many tropical and subtropical countries, with neuropharmacological actions, particularly autonomic nervous system modulation, causing significant mortality. The prim...

Spiders and scorpions are notorious for their fearful dispositions and their ability to inject venom into prey and predators, causing symptoms such as necrosis, paralysis, and excruciating pain. Information on venom composition and the toxins present in these species is growing due to an interest in using bioactive toxins from spiders and scorpions for drug discovery purposes and for solving cr...

Scorpion venom, containing highly toxic, small polypeptides that diffuse rapidly within the patient, causes serious medical problems. Nanobodies, single-domain antigen-binding fragments derived from dromedary heavy-chain antibodies, have a size that closely matches that of scorpion toxins. Therefore these nanobodies might be developed into potent immunotherapeutics to treat scorpion envenoming....

Introduction. The occurrence of a cardiogenic shock is a rare presentation after scorpion envenomation. The treatment includes classically the use of inotropes and specific vasodilators. Case Presentation. We report a case of an 11-year-old boy presenting with cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema after a scorpion sting. Despite adequate management at the emergency department and intensive care...