The in vivo cardiovascular effects of the Irukandji jellyfish (Carukia barnesi) nematocyst venom and a tentacle extract in rats

The results of this study are consistent with the effects shown by humans envenomed by C. barnesi which are postulated to be a result of catecholamine release. We show, for the first time, that C. barnesi tentacle extract, free of nematocyst material, produces cardiovascular effects which are distinct from those caused by venom derived from isolated nematocysts.