Helothermine can cause lethargy, partial paralysis of rear limbs and lowering of the body temperature.
The name of the toxin helothermine is derived from its source, a Heloderma lizard, and one of its effects in mice, induction of hypothermia.
[4] HLTx inhibits both delayed rectifier and A-type potassium channels in cerebellar granular cells.
The affinity of the toxin is much higher for the skeletal- than for the cardiac SR receptors, but binding is reversible in both cases.
Sporadic tonic convulsions can occur when the intoxicated animals are touched on the dorsal parts of their body.