A novel cardiotoxic polypeptide from the venom of Atractaspis engaddensis (burrowing asp): cardiac effects in mice and isolated rat and human heart preparations.
A new cardiotoxic polypeptide isolated from the venom of the snake Atractaspis engaddensis has an LD50 of 15 micrograms/kg body weight in white mice. Intravenous administration in mice of lethal doses of the toxin causes, within seconds, marked changes in the ECG, consisting primarily of a transient slope elevation of the S-T segment, a temporary diminution of the S-wave and an increase in the amplitudes of the R- and T-waves. Concomitantly, and apparently unrelated to these changes, a severe A-V block develops and leads to complete cardiac arrest within a few min. Studies with rat and human isolated heart preparations showed that the toxin exerts a powerful coronary vasoconstriction (rats), and positive inotropic effects (rats and humans).
Wollberg
Z
Z
Department of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
Shabo-Shina
R
R
Intrator
N
N
Bdolah
A
A
Kochva
E
E
Shavit
G
G
Oron
Y
Y
Vidne
B A
BA
Gitter
S
S
D000818:Animals; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010455:Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D010455:Peptides; D014757:Viper Venoms