The content of inflammatory, antiphlogistic and stress biomarkers in the heart after<i> Leiurus macroctenus</i> envenomation

Scorpions belonging to the species Leiurus macroctenus are known to be very dangerous, but the effect of their venom on cytokine and stress biomarker levels in the heart is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyse the pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and stress biomarkers content in rat heart after L. macroctenus envenomation. A significant increase in the content of both pro-inflammatory cytokines: tumour necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukins-1β, -8, -6 (IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6), and antiinflammatory cytokines: interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukins-4, -10 (IL-4, IL-10), as well as an increase in transcription factor Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB), Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 alpha (HIF- 1α), and the heat shock proteins (HSP60 and HSP70) content were found in heart tissue. All this may indicate that L. macroctenus envenomation may cause significant destruction of the cellular microenvironment in the heart with certain changes in the innate immune response, leading to systemic poisoning. Moreover, a decrease in the level of all analysed indicators was detected 72 hours after the introduction of the venom, which may be a sign of the beginning of reparative processes in the organ.