Effects of atropine and propranolol on lung inflammation in experimental envenomation: comparison of two buthidae venoms

Background Previous works had shown that scorpion venom induced neurotransmitter elevation and an inflammatory response associated with various anatomo-pathological modifications. The most dangerous scorpions species in Algeria responsible for these effects are Androctonus australis hector (Aah) and Androctonus amoreuxi (Aam). Results Comparison of the physiopathological effects induced by the two venoms showed differences in the kinetic of cytokine release and in lung injury. The lung edema was only observed in response to Aah venom and it was correlated with cell infiltration. In order to better understand the involved mechanism in inflammatory response, we used two antagonists, atropine (non-selective muscarinic antagonist) and propranolol (β adrenergic antagonist), which lead to a decrease of cell infiltration but has no effect on edema forming. Conclusion These results suggest another pathway in the development of lung injury following envenomation with Aam or Aah venom.

研究背景 既往研究表明，蝎毒可引发神经递质水平升高，并诱发伴随多种解剖病理改变的炎症反应。阿尔及利亚境内引发此类效应的高危蝎种为Androctonus australis hector（Aah）与Androctonus amoreuxi（Aam）。
研究结果 对比两种蝎毒诱导的病理生理效应可见，二者在细胞因子释放动力学与肺损伤方面存在差异。仅Aah毒液染毒组可观察到肺水肿，且该现象与细胞浸润呈相关性。为进一步明确炎症反应的潜在作用机制，本研究使用了两种拮抗剂：阿托品（atropine，非选择性毒蕈碱受体拮抗剂）与普萘洛尔（propranolol，β肾上腺素能受体拮抗剂）。实验结果显示，二者均可减少细胞浸润，但对肺水肿的形成无显著影响。
研究结论 上述结果表明，在Aam或Aah蝎毒蛰伤引发的肺损伤发生过程中，存在另一潜在的作用通路。