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Pro-inflammatory activities in elapid snake venoms
D V Tambourgi1, M C dos Santos, M de F Furtado
1Departamento de Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
British Journal of Pharmacology
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Snake venoms from Micrurus and Naja genera activate the complement system and cause inflammation. These venoms contain pro-inflammatory factors but lack hemorrhagic activity, aiding neurotoxin spread.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Snakebite envenomation is a significant health concern, with venom composition varying greatly between species.
- Understanding venom components is crucial for developing effective antivenoms and treatments.
- Elapidae family snakes, including Micrurus and Naja genera, possess complex venoms with diverse biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze Micrurus and Naja snake venoms for pro-inflammatory activities.
- To investigate the presence of cobra venom factor (COF), proteolytic enzymes, and other toxic substances.
- To determine the effects of these venoms on the complement system and blood cells.
Main Methods:
- Biological and immunochemical analyses were performed on venoms from five snake species.
- Complement activation was assessed using normal human serum (NHS) and purified human C3.
- Western blot analysis was used to detect cobra venom factor (COF).
- Red blood cell lysis and proteolytic activity assays were conducted.
- Edema-producing and hemorrhagic activities were evaluated in mice models.
Main Results:
- All tested venoms activated the complement system in a dose-dependent manner.
- Venoms from Naja naja and Naja melanoleuca contained a 144 kDa protein reactive to COF/C3 antibodies.
- All venoms induced edema and increased vascular permeability in mice but lacked hemorrhagic activity.
- Venoms exhibited dose-dependent lysis of sheep red blood cells in the presence of egg yolk.
- Proteolytic activity against fibrin, gelatin, and casein was not detected in any of the venoms.
Conclusions:
- Elapidae snake venoms possess significant pro-inflammatory factors.
- These factors contribute to the spread of venom components, including neurotoxins, within tissues.
- The venoms activate the complement system, suggesting a role in the inflammatory response to envenomation.
- Absence of hemorrhagic activity indicates a specialized mechanism for toxin dissemination.