Muscular lesions induced by a hemorrhagic factor from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom

The local tissue effects of crude Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom and of its hemorrhagic factor (NHF) were studied on mouse tibialis anterior muscle in vivo. After 6 h, 8 days and 6 weeks the muscles were examined in paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Both NHF and crude venom produced hemorrhage and myonecrosis, later followed by muscle fiber regeneration. Intramuscular arteries also suffered necrosis. The minimal dose of NHF necessary to produce detectable hemorrhage and myonecrosis was 50 ng, while the minimal venom dose needed to produce the same effect was 20 times higher. The results indicate that NHF is one of the major factors responsible for the local effects of B. neuwiedi venom.