Scorpion Venom Modulates the Concentration of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in F3II Tumor Cells.

The ability of scorpion venom to modulate the concentration of cytokines related to its antitumoral effect is unknown. F3II cells were treated with ¼ IC, ½ IC and the IC of scorpion venom. Tumor growth kinetics in F3II-bearing mice were evaluated after 24 days of oral administration of venom doses. The effect of tumor lysates on F3II cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay, while cytokines present in each sample were determined by ELISA. In supernatant, scorpion venom decreased the concentration of IL-6 ( < 0.001), IFN-γ ( < 0.001), IL-1β ( < 0.01); meanwhile IL-12 ( < 0.001) and TNF-α ( < 0.001) levels increased significantly, according to the concentration and the time of incubation. scorpion venom effectively inhibits in vivo tumor progression. In the sera, a significant decrease was observed in TNF-α levels ( < 0.05). In tumor lysates, IL-6 decreased significantly in the groups treated with 12.5 mg/kg ( < 0.001) and 25 mg/kg ( < 0.05). scorpion venom is capable of modulating other proinflammatory and protumoral cytokines involved in the inflammation associated with cancer.