Abstract
The immunoglobulin fractions IgG, F(ab')(2) and Fab of scorpion and snake antivenoms possess pharmacokinetic characteristics that are significantly different from their respective venoms. The venoms land their toxins) are several fold faster in their distribution into the tissues than any of the immunoglobulin fraction. In rabbits, F(ab')(2) possessed the fastest disposition rate constants and the longest distribution half lives. In the physiologically based pharmacokinetic experiments carried out in mice F(ab')(2) possessed the highest Cp-max, smallest AUC and the shortest t(1/2)beta in the different tissues while Fab had values in between Ige and F(ab')(2). Rescue experiments in anaesthetized rats challenged with lethal doses of venoms or toxins and infused with border-line neutralizing doses of antivenoms, showed that rats infused with F(ab')(2) completely recovered, those infused with IgG partially rescued and none of the rats infused with Fab survived. It is concluded that F(ab')(2) of scorpion and snake antivenoms possess pharmacokinetic characteristics that render it the most suitable for use in serotherapy of scorpion and snake envenoming. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.