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Systemic skeletal muscle necrosis induced by crotoxin
T F Salvini1, A C Amaral, E H Miyabara
1Laboratório de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 13565-905, São Carlos, Brazil. tania@power.ufscar.br
Summary
Crotoxin, from rattlesnake venom, causes systemic skeletal muscle necrosis. This venom toxin selectively damages oxidative muscle fibers throughout the body, not just at the injection site.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Muscle Physiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Crotoxin is the primary toxic component of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom.
- Snake venom toxins can induce various pathological effects, including myotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the systemic effects of crotoxin on skeletal muscle necrosis.
- To determine the selectivity of crotoxin-induced muscle damage.
Main Methods:
- Mice received intramuscular injections of crotoxin into the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle.
- Muscle tissues (TA, gastrocnemius, soleus, masseter, longissimus dorsi) were collected at 3 hours, 24 hours, and 3 days post-injection.
- Histological analysis and acidic phosphatase reactions were used to evaluate muscle fiber injury.
Main Results:
- Crotoxin induced muscle fiber injury in injected TA muscles, contralateral soleus and red gastrocnemius, and masseter muscles.
- Injury was observed at 3 and 24 hours after crotoxin administration.
- Contralateral TA, longissimus dorsi, and white gastrocnemius muscles showed no signs of injury.
Conclusions:
- Crotoxin causes systemic and selective skeletal muscle necrosis.
- The damage primarily affects oxidative muscle fibers and their associated regions.