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ABSTRACT Scorpions belonging to the Tityus genus are of medical interest in Brazil. Among them, Tityus stigmurus is the main scorpion responsible for stings in the Northeast region. After a sting, the scorpion venom distributes rapidly to the organs, reaching the kidneys quickly. However, there are few studies concerning the renal pathophysiology of scorpion poisoning. In this study, we evaluated the effects of T. stigmurus venom (TsV) on renal parameters in isolated rat kidneys. Wistar rats (n = 6), weighing 250-300 g, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 6 g/100 mL bovine serum albumin. TsV at 0.3 and 1.0 μg/mL was tested, and the effects on perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), urinary flow (UF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and electrolyte excretion were analyzed. Effects were observed only at TsV concentration of 1.0 μg/mL, which increased PP (controlPP40' = 92.7 ± 1.95; TsVPP40' = 182.0 ± 4.70* mmHg, *p < 0.05), RVR (controlRVR40' = 3.28 ± 0.23 mmHg; TstRVR40' = 6.76 ± 0.45* mmHg, *p < 0.05), UF (controlUF50' = 0.16 ± 0.04; TstUF50' = 0.60 ± 0.10* mL/g/min,*p < 0.05), GFR and electrolyte excretion, with histological changes that indicate renal tubular injury. In conclusion, T. stigmurus venom induces a transient increase in PP with tubular injury, both of which lead to an augmented electrolyte excretion.

Multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disorders, particularly hypercholesterolemia, are often present in hypertensive patients. Several studies have shown that antihypertensive drugs affect the lipid profile, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Here, it was investigated the lipoprotein metabolism alterations in a group of hypertensive patients in care by the Hypertension and Diabetes Program of a public hospital in Fortaleza-CE/Brazil. In this study, one hundred sixty nine serum samples from hypertensive patients (32-87 years old) under antihypertensive therapy were analyzed. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, cholesterol from high density lipoprotein (HDL) and from low density lipoprotein (LDL) serum levels were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method and AI and B apolipoproteins by immunoturbidimetric assay. The population enrolled was predominantly women (73.13%) and from these, 33.53% taking the monotherapy regimen, used angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I). However, in combined therapy (66.47%) the most used drugs were the diuretics, especially in prescriptions associated to ACE-I. It was also observed that patients taking diuretics in monotherapy regimen showed significant effects in their serum lipid concentrations of lipids, in contrast with individuals taking combined therapy, which had no expressive alterations in their lipid profile. Theses results suggest that the antihypertensive therapy must be associated to a lipid monitoring process.