Int J Med Biochem . 2020; 3(3): 150-154 | DOI: 10.14744/ijmb.2020.51523

Exchange of thiol-disulfide pairs in scorpion envenomation

Merve Ergin Tuncay¹, Betul Ozbek Iptec¹, Ozlem Bingol², Mustafa Caliskanturk³, Salim Neselioglu¹, Ozcan Erel^1
1Department of Biochemistry, Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
²Department of Emergency Medicine, Soke Fehime Faik Kocagoz State Hospital, Aydin, Turkey
³Department of Emergency Medicine, 25 Aralik State Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey

INTRODUCTION: The present study aims to analyze thiol-disulfide profile tests in scorpion envenomation.
METHODS: This study included 35 patients with scorpion envenomation and 41 healthy individuals. Thiol-disulfide test panel and myeloperoxidase and catalase activities were determined in both groups.
RESULTS: Patients with scorpion envenomation group had significantly higher native thiol concentrations and significantly lower disulfide amounts than the control group (p=0.001, for both). Also, total thiol levels were higher in patients than healthy individuals (p>0.05). Significantly decreased the disulfide/native thiol ratios and significantly increased disulfide/total thiol ratios and native/total thiol ratios were obtained in patients with scorpion sting than in the healthy subjects (p<0.001, for all ratios). Both catalase and myeloperoxidase activities increased in patients with scorpionism than controls (p<0.05, for both).There were powerful relationships among enhanced myeloperoxidase activities and thiol-disulfide system tests (p<0.05, for all).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The equilibrium between thiol-disulfide couples was disrupted in scorpion envenomation. As thiol metabolism is a key component in inflammatory, immune and detoxification mechanisms, excessive thiols may be a response to these processes in scorpionism.

Keywords: Antioxidant, disulfide, oxidative stress, scorpion envenomation, thiol, thiol-disulfide homeostasis

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