Action of the venom of the scorpion Tityus trinitatis on pancreatic insulin secretion.

In vivo, canine pancreas was stimulated to secrete insulin by the venom of the scorpion Tityus trinitatis; the venom also caused a rise in plasma glucose level as well. The venom-induced insulin secretion was also observed under in vitro conditions in rat pancreatic slices, and this stimulation was dose-related. Maximal effect was observed at 20 micrograms/ml. Atropine (3 x 10(-6) M) completely abolished both venom (20 micrograms/ml)- and acetylcholine (3 x 10(-7) M)-induced insulin secretion. It is suggested that the venom-induced insulin secretion is mediated through muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms.