Title:Renal Alterations Induced by the Venom of Colombian Scorpion Centruroides Margaritatus
Volume: 19
Issue: 22
Author(s): J.D. Galíndez-Cerón, R.J.B. Jorge*, M.H. Chavez-Acosta, A.R.C. Jorge, N.T.Q. Alves, M.M.G. Prata, F.A. de Paulo Rodrigues, A. Havt, T.L. Sampaio, A.M.C. Martins, J.A. Guerrero-Vargas, H.S.A. Monteiro and J.T. Beltrán-Vidal
Affiliation:
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE,Brazil
Keywords:
Scorpion envenomation, Centruroides margaritatus, Kidney perfusion, Cytotoxicity, Necrosis, Acute kidney injury.
Abstract: Background: Scorpion venom causes renal injury and affects vascular ion-channels function.
Centruroides margaritatus scorpion is found in Colombia and is frequently the cause of envenomation
accidents; however, its renal impact has never been investigated.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of C. margaritatus venom (CmV) on renal parameters using isolated
rat kidney and renal cell culture models.
Methods: Wistar rats (n = 5, weighing 240-300 g) were first perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing
6 g 100 mL-1 bovine serum albumin. After 30 minutes, the kidneys were perfused with CmV to a
final concentration of 10 μgmL-1; evaluation was performed by measuring Perfusion Pressure (PP), Renal
Vascular Resistance (RVR), Urinary Flow (UF), Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), and percentage of
electrolyte tubular transport. Moreover, kidney histological analyses and cell cytotoxicity in renal tubule
epithelial cells (MDCK) and proximal tubular cells (LLC-MK2) were assessed.
Results: CmV increased PP and RVR 60 min after perfusion. On the other hand, UF, GFR, and the percentages
of sodium, potassium and chloride tubular transport decreased after experimental envenomation.
UF dropped after 120 min, while GFR and percentage of electrolyte tubular transport diminished after 60,
90 and 120 min. CmV was not toxic to MDCK cell line but reduced the viability of LLC-MK2 cells at
concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 200 μgmL-1. Histological analyses disclosed hydropic degeneration,
edema, and protein deposits. Flow cytometry disclosed that cell death occurred predominantly by necrosis.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that C. margaritatus venom can trigger renal impairment, mainly in the
proximal kidney tubule.