Toxic effects of the soluble skin secretion from the Arabian Gulf catfish (Arius thallasinus, Ruppell) on plasma and liver enzyme levels.

Injection of skin toxin into the marginal ear vein of rabbits resulted in acute respiratory distress and convulsive movements, followed by death within 7 min. Significant increases in total plasma lactate dehydrogenase and the hepatic and cardiac derived isozymes and in glutamic-oxaloacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities were observed in animals receiving toxin. Lower doses of toxin increase the survival time and enzyme levels in plasma. Skin toxin produces a time dependent toxic effect on the liver and heart.