CYTOKINE PROFILE AND STRESS-RESPONSE SIGNALING MARKERS IN RAT SPLEEN AFTER LEIURUS MACROCTENUS VENOM ADMINISTRATION
Experemental medicine

CYTOKINE PROFILE AND STRESS-RESPONSE SIGNALING MARKERS IN RAT SPLEEN AFTER LEIURUS MACROCTENUS VENOM ADMINISTRATION

Published 2026-02-04

Authors:

T.I. Halenova
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2973-2646
O.Y. Maievskyi
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9128-1033
L.V. Podzihun
Bogomolets National Medical University image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3634-9194
T.M. Kyselova
National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4154-0439
V.A. Tomchuk
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0622-6345

Abstract:
This study evaluated time-dependent changes in inflammatory mediators and stress-associated signaling molecules in the spleen of rats after a single intramuscular administration of L. macroctenus venom at a dose corresponding to the median lethal dose. Venom exposure induced an early increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines within one hour, followed by delayed elevation of anti-inflammatory cytokines at 24 hours. Concurrent increases in nuclear factor kappa B, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, as well as heat shock proteins 60 and 70 indicated activation of inflammatory transcriptional pathways and cellular stress responses. By the end of the observation period (72 hours), most parameters approached control values. These findings demonstrate coordinated and reversible immune modulation in splenic tissue and highlight the involvement of secondary lymphoid organs in systemic responses to scorpion envenomation.
Keywords:
Leiurus macroctenus scorpion venom spleen rats cytokines heat shock proteins nuclear factor kappa B hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha
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Publication:
«World of Medicine and Biology» Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026) , с. 175-179
УДК 615.919:616.411:612.017