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  • Title: Indian red scorpion venom depresses spinal synaptic transmission without involving NMDA receptors.
    Author: Maurya AN, Deshpande SB.
    Journal: Neurosci Lett; 2010 May 14; 475(2):85-8. PubMed ID: 20347939.
    Abstract:
    Stings of Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus, MBT) produce neurological abnormalities such as convulsions and paralysis. These parameters indicate the activity at alpha-motoneuron. The present study was therefore, undertaken to evaluate the effect of MBT-venom on spinal reflexes and the involvement of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The experiments were performed on isolated hemisected spinal cords from 4 to 6 days old rats. Stimulation of a dorsal root with supramaximal strength at 0.1Hz evoked monosynaptic (MSR) and polysynaptic reflex (PSR) potentials in the corresponding segmental ventral root. Superfusion of MBT-venom depressed the spinal reflexes in a time- and a concentration-dependent (0.1-1microg/ml) manner. MBT-venom at 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0microg/ml produced maximal depression of 55, 75 and 90% at 30, 10 and 7min, respectively. The time required to produce 50% depression (T-50) of MSR was 19.0, 8.0, and 3.6min and for PSR was 15.0, 5.6, and 2.9min at 0.1, 0.3 and 1microg/ml of venom, respectively. Pre-treatment with DL-alpha-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) decreased MSR by 26% and abolished PSR. In the presence of APV, the MBT-venom-induced depression of MSR was not different from the venom only group. The results indicate that venom-induced depression of spinal reflexes did not involve NMDA receptors.
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