Effects of odontobuthus doriae scorpion venom on mouse sciatic nerve

ABSTRACT

Temporary paralysis is a rare manifestation of envenoming following the yellow Iranian scorpion, Odontobuthus doriae [O. doriae]. Thus, to elucidate the underlying mechanism, we investigated the neurotoxic effect of venom in the sciatic nerve, the possible mechanism in a mice model. The neurotoxicity and temperature effects in the venom-induced neurotoxicity were examined using the mouse sciatic nerve and mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm [MHD] preparations. O .doriae venom [1 [micro]g/mL] caused changes in the perineural waveform associated with nerve terminal action potentials. Venom affected on both negative and positive components of the waveform which is known as a compound action potential. The time-response relationship of venom-induced depression of resting membrane potential [RMP] was significant [p < 0.05]. No significant difference in augmentation was seen in room temperature in comparison with 37[degree]C. In conclusion, although there was no evidence that the venom had any specific curarizing action at the neuromuscular junction; the results suggest that the venom exerts its neuromuscular transmission on the sciatic nerve through potassium and sodium ionic-currents. Furthermore, the influence of temperature on neurotoxicity was ineffective on blockade of the neuromuscular transmission in-vitro