Author(s)

Nidhi Yadav, Ravi Kant Upadhyay

Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, India.

In the present investigation, in vivo effects of purified ticks’ saliva toxin were evaluated on the level of certain important cellular metabolic enzymes i.e. acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase. For this purpose, sub-lethal doses, 40% and 80% of 24 h LD50 purified saliva toxins of Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) were injected subcutaneously in the albino mice. In treated mice saliva toxins targeted membrane-bound enzymes i.e. serum acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, its level was increased from 118.30% to 163.63% at the 6th hr in comparison to the control. Besides this, the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) also increased up to 161.11% (at 6th hr), 148.27 (at 8th hr) and 125.45% (at 6th hr) respectively in comparison to control. An increase in the level of LDH showed insufficient oxygen supply, massive disintegration of cells and leakage of the enzyme into the circulation. It clearly indicated the toxic effects of saliva toxins on the membrane of blood cells, hepatocytes and myocardial muscle cell functions in albino mice. On the other hand activity of acetyl cholinesterase was reduced by 65.51% at the 6th hr of the saliva toxin injection in comparison to the control. This inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase activity caused the accumulation of acetylcholine molecules at the synaptic junctions and led to prolonged activation of acetylcholine receptors. It caused permanent stimulation of nerves and muscle cells that may result in muscular paralysis and finally death of the animal.

Rhipicephalus microplus, Serum, Liver and Rectus Abdominis, Gastrocnemius, Muscle, Atria and Ventricle Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT) and Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT), Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Acetylcholinesterase (AchE)

Yadav, N. and Upadhyay, R. (2023) Effects of Purified Indian Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus microplus Saliva Toxins on Various Enzymes in Blood Serum, Liver and Muscles of Albino Mice. Advances in Enzyme Research, 11, 82-112. doi: 10.4236/aer.2023.112005.