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Published on: January 17, 2013
Experimental model for removal of snake venom via hemoperfusion in rats
Maximilian Estevan Oliveira1, Jéssica Campanholi2, Roberta Lima Cavalcante2
1Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
To examine the efficiency of hemoperfusion in removing South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) venom from rats compared with neutralization by antivenom.
Design:
An exploratory experimental investigation in rats involving the injection of snake venom with or without subsequent hemoperfusion or antivenom administration.
Setting:
Basic animal research laboratory in a private university.
Animals:
Normal, healthy male Wistar rats (0.29-0.40 kg, 3-6 months old) from a commercial breeder.
Interventions:
Four experimental groups of randomly allocated rats (n = 3/group) were studied: Group 1: rats were injected with a single dose of venom (5 mg/kg, IM, in the right thigh) with no other treatment; blood samples were collected minutes before death to determine leukocyte, platelet, and erythrocyte counts; Group 2 (Control): rats underwent hemoperfusion alone for 60 min using a hemoperfusion cartridge designed for protein adsorption (by granulated charcoal) and protein precipitation (by tannic acid); Group 3 (Venom + antivenom): rats were injected with venom (5 mg/kg, IM) and, 10 min later, were treated with antivenom at the venom:antivenom ratio recommended by the manufacturer; Group 4 (Venom + hemoperfusion): Rats were injected with venom (5 mg/kg, IM) and, 10 min later, were hemoperfused for 60 min. In groups 2-4, blood samples were collected for leukocyte, platelet, and erythrocyte counts 24 h after venom.
Measurements And Main Results:
Rats injected with venom alone (Group 1) developed signs of neurotoxicity and ataxia and died in 9.0 ± 0.43 h but showed no changes in leukocyte or erythrocyte counts. In contrast, there were no deaths in groups 2-4. The lack of deaths in Groups 3 and 4 indicated that antivenom and hemoperfusion, respectively, protected against the lethal effects of the venom.
Conclusions:
Hemoperfusion with a double-action hemoperfusion cartridge capable of protein adsorption and precipitation protected rats against C. d. terrificus venom.
