Effects of the crude toxin of sea cucumbers holothuria atra on some hematological and biochemical parameters in rats

Abstract EN

Sea cucumbers are some of the safest reef animals to touch.

However they have a special organ called Cuvier Ian organ that contains toxic substances.

The effect of sub lethal dose (LD25) of the crude toxin extracted from sea cucumber Holothuria atra collected from the Aqaba Gulf in Egypt was studied at different intervals (¼, ½, 1, 2 and 24 hours) The complete blood picture (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, HCT, PLT, MCV, MCH, MCHC), serum glucose, some liver function tests (Total protein, albumin, Globulin, AST, ALT) and kidney function tests (Urea, Creatinine and Uric acid) were examined.

The results showed that i.

p injection of the crude toxin provoked a marked leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and mild polycythemia after ½h, 1h and persisted up to 2h.

The maximum hyperglycemia was recorded after one hour, while the maximum increase in urea and uric acid was reached after 24 h.

On the other hand, the levels of total protein and globulin decreased after 24h.

Serum ALT, AST and creatinine recorded insignificant changes.