Abnormal cardiovascular and electrocardiographic profiles and cardiac glycogen content in rabbits injected with scorpion venom.

Cardiovascular and ECG abnormalities were studied following injection of venom of Buthus tamulus, a common scorpion found in South India. Venom was administered in doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight. Subsequent estimation of glycogen content of different chambers of the heart, showed a significant reduction in tissue glycogen levels in both atria and ventricles in animals treated with a venom dose of 2 mg/kg. However, a significant reduction occurred only in atria with a higher venom dose of 4 mg/kg.