Abstract
Venom sac extract (VSE) of the Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) has been shown to exert a toxic effect on hepatic cells. The present work set out to examine its effect on liver cells using serum levels of a lysosomal hydrolase as a marker of injury in rats. Serum activities of beta‐N‐acetyl hexosaminidase (BNAH; EC 3.2.1.30) were found to be positively correlated with the number of treatments received by the rats. The maximal elevation occurred from the third to the sixth day and comprised a 2‐3‐fold increase over the control mean level. This enhancement effect was reversible. The rat envenomend for 2 wk showed 3.5 times as much BNAH activity as in control rats. Biochemical analysis revealed increased specific activity of the lysosomal enzyme in rats treated repeatedly with VSE.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 453-455 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1990 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Oriental hornet
- hepatotoxicity
- hexosaminidase
- venom