Effects of Androctonus crassicauda scorpion venom on the release of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats

This study was performed to compare the levels of proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in rats after subcutaneous injection of Androctonus crassicauda scorpion venom with control group that received only physiological serum subcutaneously. 0.5 mg of Androctonus crassicauda scorpion venom with LD50 400mg / kg was injected subcutaneously into 12 rats in the venom group. In addition, 0.5 ml of physiological serum (equal volume of scorpion venom) was injected subcutaneously into 12 rats in the control group. At 0,4,24 and 72 hours after injection of the venom (28), heparinized blood samples were collected via the heart of animals and the plasma levels of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) were determined using the ZellBio ELISA diagnostic kit.Four hours after injection of the venom, the level of interleukin 10 was statistically significantly increased compared to the control group, but the level of interleukin 6 was decreased compared to the control group. 24 hours after injection of the venom, the levels of interleukin 10 and interleukin 6 did not show a significant change compared to the control group and reached a stable state.Finally, it was concluded that due to the balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10), the clinical symptoms of scorpion stings are variable. And the balance between cytokines plays a pivotal role in the development of clinical symptoms in scorpion stings.