ACUTE GASTRIC-MUCOSAL INJURY INDUCED BY TOXINS FROM TITYUS-SERRULATUS SCORPION-VENOM - A NOVEL EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL IN THE RAT

The effect of a partially purified fraction (T1) and toxin y purified from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom, on gastric mucosa were investigated in anesthetized rats. The animals were injected i.v. with the T1 fraction (37.5-mu-g/100 g) or with saline and 60 min later were sacrificed and the stomachs resected. The gastric juice was measured and stereoscopic examination of the stomachs made. In animals injected with the T1 fraction there was an increase in volume, acidity and pepsin output of rat stomach. The T1 fraction also induced acute gastric injuries in the glandular mucosa, consisting of circular or linear ulcers, and punctiform lesions. Intravenous injection of 20-mu-g/100 g of a pure toxin obtained from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (toxin-gamma) also induced similar lesions in the rat stomach. Our data indicate that the injection of T1 fraction or toxin y are good models to induce acute gastric ulcers in a short period of time in anesthetized rats.