Effect of purified scorpion toxin (tityustoxin) on the pancreatic secretion of the rat

Abstract

Effect of purified scorpion torin (tityustorin) on the pancreatic secretion of the rat. Toxicon 20, 847-853, 1982.- Intravenous injection, in anesthetized rata, ofa single dose of purified scorpion toxin(tityustoxin, TsT~, obtained from the venom of the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus, causes a striking increase in fbw rate, protein content, kallikrein andamylase activities of the pancreatic juice. The Howrate andprotein contentof thejuice remain significantly higher than in control rats,forat least one hour, whereas thekallilaein activity returns to control values 30minaftertityustorin injection. Sub-diaphragmatic bilateral vagotomy does notpreventthe pancreatic secretioninducedby tityustoxin; moreover, vagotomy potentiates the flow rate and kallikrein secretion produced by the torin. Pre-treatmentof the rats with atropine blocks thepancreatic secretion evoked by tityustorin. It is suggestedthat the pancreatic secretion inducedbytityustorinis dueto actions of acetylcholine, released from postganglionic nerve fibers, on muscarinic receptors. The mechanism by which vagotomy potentiatea the pancreatic secretion evoked by tityustorin is under investigation