Experimental Kinetic Analysis of Mesobuthus Eupeus Scorpion Venom Absorption by ELISA

Background: A satisfactory therapeutic of envenomation requires accurate evaluation of the kinetic parameters of venoms. In this study, an AC-ELISA was developed for detection of Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion venom levels in the sera of experimentally envenomed mice. The aim was to establish a correlation between these levels and the amount of injected venom in different intervals after treatments.Methods: Eighteen adult male N-mary mice were randomly divided into 6 equal groups; the first five groups received 180, 150, 100, 50 and 25 μg of M. eupeus venom per mouse respectively by SC route. The 6th group received PBS and was kept as control. At intervals of 15 and 30 minutes and 1, 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 hours after treatment, the blood was obtained and its serum was assayed for detection of scorpion venom by an in-house AC-ELISA technique.Results: One hour after injection of 25μg and 150μg M. eupeus venom, the highest serum concentrations of the venom were recorded as 12.6% and 19.2%/mL of the injected venom, respectively. The venom was detectable in serum within 15 minutes until 24 hours after injection.Conclusion: The maximum time that the venom was detectable in serum is dependent on the level of the injection. In all venom received mice, the highest serum levels of the venom were recorded 1 hour after envenomation. The sensitivity of the designed ELISA was at least 19.5 ng. The indirect AC-ELISA is capable of identifying the circulating venom.