Oxidative stress and some biochemical alterations due to scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) crude venom in rats

Scorpion envenomation is a common medical problem in many countries; it is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The venom of Leiurus quinquestriatus (LQ) is responsible for a number of deaths in children and adults. It has been stated that specific pathophysiological conditions such as generation of oxygen free radicals may trigger the onset of multiple organ dysfunction; therefore, the present study aimed to assess the oxidative stress mediated by LQ crude venom and its effect on the biochemical parameters in rats. Adult male Albino rats (250 ± 30 g body weight) were divided into three groups (n = 5). In control group, rats were intraperitoneally (ip) injected with 50 μL saline solution. Groups 2 and 3 were ip injected with 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg body weight of crude venom, respectively. Blood samples and liver tissues were harvested 1, 2 and 4 h post-injection. Serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, urea, uric acid and malondialdehyde increased significantly in envenomed animals within 1, 2 and 4 h post-injection, compared to controls. However, the levels of total serum protein, albumin, globulin and triglycerides as well as catalase, glutathione peroxidase and super oxide dismutase in envenomed rats were significantly decreased compared to controls. We can conclude that LQ crude venom induces oxidative stress via reduction of antioxidant systems and alters some biochemical parameters of envenomed rats.