CALCIUM-DEPENDENT SECRETORY RESPONSE OF ISOLATED RAT PANCREAS TO THE VENOM OF THE SYDNEY FUNNEL-WEB SPIDER (ATRAX ROBUSTUS)

抄録

The effects of the venom of the male Sydney funnel-Web spider (Atrax robustus) on pancreatic exocrine secretion were studied in an isolated rat pancreas preparation perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution. The venom increased pancreatic juice flow and protein concentration. The protein output depended on the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺ ion and was dose-dependent over a wide venom concentration (6 ng/ml-10 μg/ml). No ultrastructural changes were seen in the venom-treated glands. The mechanism of the stimulatory effect of the venom remains to be elucidated.