title: Comparison of the physiological effects in rabbits of gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) venoms from different sources.
abstract: The cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic effects of B. gabonica venoms obtained from specimens originating from Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania were examined in anaesthetized rabbits. Intravenous injection of all venoms (0.125-2.0 mg/kg) induced hypotension. Nigeria venom was the least potent in this respect. Following doses of all venoms there was a brief bradycardia and a transient increase in respiratory rate and depth. At high doses (greater than or equal to 1.0 mg/kg), all venoms induced severe ST depression and T wave inversion. In addition, Togo venom, and to a lesser extent Tanzania and Ghana venoms, were potent in inducing extrasystoles. None of the venoms produced any significant changes in haematocrit, plasma proteins or arterial blood gas and pH levels. All venoms increased blood glucose and lactate levels by 1.3-2.1 fold and 2.2-4.0 fold respectively while the respiratory quotient remained unchanged. Togo venom was significantly (P less than 0.05) more lethal than the other venoms. The pattern of haemorrhage observed at post-mortem was the same for all venoms with the heart, ureters, adrenals, kidneys, lungs, stomach and intestines being the most affected. When combined on a subspecies basis, the results suggest that there are no significant differences in the physiological effects of venoms representing B. g. rhinoceros (West African gaboon viper) and B. g. gabonica (East African gaboon viper).
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Sciences, King's College London (KQC), Kensington, U.K.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hyslop
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Marsh
mesh_terms: D000351:Africa, Eastern; D000354:Africa, Western; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006400:Hematocrit; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011817:Rabbits; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007773:Lactates; D014757:Viper Venoms; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen