Biomaterial Database

Dantrolene protects hippocampal cells from damage induced by TsTX, an alpha-scorpion toxin from Tityus serrulatus. 2004

Ana Leonor A Nencioni, and Ivo Lebrun, and Valquiria A C Dorce

Laboratory of Pharmacology, Butantan Institute, Av. Dr. Vital Brasil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

We examined the effects of dantrolene, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium release, on alterations associated with the intrahippocampal injection of the TsTX scorpion toxin. Male Wistar rats (230-250 g) were injected with Ringer solution (1 microl; n = 6); TsTX toxin (1 microg/microl; n = 8); and dantrolene (10.0 mg/kg) plus TsTX toxin (1 microg/microl; n = 6). After injection, electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings and observation of animals behaviour were performed continuously for 4 h. One week later, animals were submitted to histopathological analysis. TsTX caused electrographic seizure expressed by moderate or intense discharges and neuronal loss in hippocampal areas in all injected animals (n = 8). Dantrolene reduced the effect of TsTX. Thus, 67% of rats (four out of six) treated with toxin and dantrolene had electrographic convulsions, but only for 30 min after injection and none of them presented neuronal damage. Dantrolene or Ringer had no effects on the EEG.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008845	Microinjections	The injection of very small amounts of fluid, often with the aid of a microscope and microsyringes.	Microinjection
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009498	Neurotoxins	Toxic substances from microorganisms, plants or animals that interfere with the functions of the nervous system. Most venoms contain neurotoxic substances. Myotoxins are included in this concept.	Alpha-Neurotoxin,Excitatory Neurotoxin,Excitotoxins,Myotoxin,Myotoxins,Neurotoxin,Alpha-Neurotoxins,Excitatory Neurotoxins,Excitotoxin,Alpha Neurotoxin,Alpha Neurotoxins,Neurotoxin, Excitatory,Neurotoxins, Excitatory
D003620	Dantrolene	Skeletal muscle relaxant that acts by interfering with excitation-contraction coupling in the muscle fiber. It is used in spasticity and other neuromuscular abnormalities. Although the mechanism of action is probably not central, dantrolene is usually grouped with the central muscle relaxants.	Dantrium,Dantrolene Sodium,Sodium, Dantrolene
D004569	Electroencephalography	Recording of electric currents developed in the brain by means of electrodes applied to the scalp, to the surface of the brain, or placed within the substance of the brain.	EEG,Electroencephalogram,Electroencephalograms
D006624	Hippocampus	A curved elevation of GRAY MATTER extending the entire length of the floor of the TEMPORAL HORN of the LATERAL VENTRICLE (see also TEMPORAL LOBE). The hippocampus proper, subiculum, and DENTATE GYRUS constitute the hippocampal formation. Sometimes authors include the ENTORHINAL CORTEX in the hippocampal formation.	Ammon Horn,Cornu Ammonis,Hippocampal Formation,Subiculum,Ammon's Horn,Hippocampus Proper,Ammons Horn,Formation, Hippocampal,Formations, Hippocampal,Hippocampal Formations,Hippocampus Propers,Horn, Ammon,Horn, Ammon's,Proper, Hippocampus,Propers, Hippocampus,Subiculums
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012604	Scorpion Venoms	Venoms from animals of the order Scorpionida of the class Arachnida. They contain neuro- and hemotoxins, enzymes, and various other factors that may release acetylcholine and catecholamines from nerve endings. Of the several protein toxins that have been characterized, most are immunogenic.	Scorpion Toxin,Scorpion Toxins,Scorpion Venom Peptide,Tityus serrulatus Venom,Scorpion Venom,alpha-Scorpion Toxin,beta-Scorpion Toxin,gamma-Scorpion Toxin,Peptide, Scorpion Venom,Toxin, Scorpion,Toxin, alpha-Scorpion,Toxin, beta-Scorpion,Venom Peptide, Scorpion,Venom, Scorpion,Venom, Tityus serrulatus,alpha Scorpion Toxin,beta Scorpion Toxin,gamma Scorpion Toxin
D012605	Scorpions	Arthropods of the order Scorpiones, of which 1500 to 2000 species have been described. The most common live in tropical or subtropical areas. They are nocturnal and feed principally on insects and other arthropods. They are large arachnids but do not attack man spontaneously. They have a venomous sting. Their medical significance varies considerably and is dependent on their habits and venom potency rather than on their size. At most, the sting is equivalent to that of a hornet but certain species possess a highly toxic venom potentially fatal to humans. (From Dorland, 27th ed; Smith, Insects and Other Arthropods of Medical Importance, 1973, p417; Barnes, Invertebrate Zoology, 5th ed, p503)	Scorpion