Biodistribution studies of bee venom and spider toxin using radiotracers

Abstract

The use of radiotracers allows the understanding of the bioavailability process, biodistribution, and kinetics of any molecule labelled with an isotope, which does not alter the molecule's biological properties. In this work, technetium-99m and iodine-125 were chosen as radiotracers for biodistribution studies in mice using bee (Apis mellifera) venom and a toxin (PnTX2-6) from the Brazilian "armed" spider (Phoneutria nigriventer) venom. Incorporated radioactivity was measured in the blood, brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, adrenal gland, spleen, stomach, testicle, intestine, muscle, and thyroid gland. Results provided the blood kinetic parameter, and different organs distribution rates.

Keywords

• Phoneutria nigriventer
• Apis mellifera
• toxin
• venom
• radiotracer
• biodistribution