Scorpion venom stimulates biliary/duodenal motility and pancreatic exocrine secretion

Scorpion envenomation causes severe upper abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. Although scorpion venom (SV) stimulates pancreatic and gastric secretion in animal models, its effects on duodenal and biliary motility have not been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of SV on sphincter of Oddi (SO), duodenal and gall bladder motility and pancreatic amylase output. Anaesthetized Australian possums (n = 21) were infused with SV via intravenous or closed intra-arterial routes. Blood pressure, SO, duodenal and gall bladder motility were continuously monitored for 4 h. Trans-sphincteric flow (TSF), an indicator of bile duct resistance, was measured concurrently. The amylase output in pancreatic juice was also measured. SV infusion resulted in profound transient increase in blood pressure, SO motility and a significant decrease in TSF. No significant differences were noted in SO basal pressure changes. A transient increase in gall bladder tone, duodenal contraction amplitude and frequency, and amylase output were noted. Following the peak in blood pressure, amylase output, SO, gall bladder and duodenal motility were depressed. SV induces a rapid but transient increase in biliary and duodenal motility that is associated with stimulation of pancreatic amylase output. These changes may contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms associated with early phases of envenomation.