Effects of scorpion Tityus serrulatus venom toxin ts-8f on rat learning and memory



Document title: Effects of scorpion Tityus serrulatus venom toxin ts-8f on rat learning and memory
Journal: The journal of venomous animals and toxins
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000298750
ISSN: 0104-7930
Authors: 1
2
3
Institutions: 1Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria, Sao Paulo. Brasil
2Instituto Butantan, Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biofísica, Sao Paulo. Brasil
3Instituto Butantan, Laboratorio de Farmacologia, Sao Paulo. Brasil
Year:
Volumen: 8
Number: 1
Pages: 74-87
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Experimental, aplicado
English abstract Scorpion venom neurotoxins are responsible for toxicity and pharmacological effects. They are active in sodium and potassium channels leading to an increase in the release of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate. Glutamate is found in large quantities in the hippocampus (HPC) and is involved in the long-term potentiation (LTP) induction. The HPC is known to be related to certain kinds of memory. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Tityus serrulatus TS-8F toxin on rat behavior with emphasis on learning and memory. We analyzed the effects of different doses of TS-8F on rat behavior in home cages, open-field (habituation), inhibitory avoidance, T-maze, and hippocampus morphology. In the first two experiments, 0.05µg/animal dose of TS-8F did not cause convulsion but led to a decrease in locomotion (LO) frequency in the open-field first session. During the second session, rats receiving 0.03µg/animal TS-8F showed a decrease in LO and rearing frequency (RE); controls only showed decreased LO; and those receiving 0.05µg/animal showed no significant changes. In inhibitory avoidance, T-maze, and HPC morphology experiments no significant differences were observed. It is concluded that TS-8F may exert some influence in rat learning and memory and seems to be useful as a pharmacological tool. Further research is required to elucidate all possible uses of this toxin
Disciplines: Biología
Keyword: Quelicerados,
Toxicología,
Veneno de alacrán,
Neurotoxinas,
Aprendizaje,
Memoria,
Ratas,
Tityus serrulatus,
Buthidae
Keyword: Biology,
Chelicerata,
Toxicology,
Scorpion venom,
Neurotoxins,
Learning,
Memory,
Rats,
Tityus serrulatus,
Buthidae
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