Antibody neutralization of a myotoxin from the venom of Bothrops asper (terciopelo).
Neutralization of biological activities of B. asper myotoxin by a monospecific anti-myotoxin rabbit serum and polyvalent antivenom was studied. Both antisera neutralized myotoxic, phospholipase A and lethal activities of myotoxin, whereas edema-forming activity of myotoxin was not neutralized by these antisera. Anti-myotoxin rabbit serum neutralized most of the myotoxic activity of B. asper venom, but did not neutralize phospholipase A activity of this venom. Neutralization curves showed that myotoxicity induced by myotoxin persisted at antivenom/toxin or antiserum/toxin ratios at which phospholipase A activity was completely neutralized. This suggests that myotoxicity does not depend upon enzymatic activity of the toxin. Antiserum to myotoxin neutralized approximately 70% of myonecrosis induced by crude B. asper venom. This demonstrates that myotoxin is the main factor responsible for the development of myonecrosis in envenomations by B. asper.
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*; D009336:Necrosis; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity
D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D010741:Phospholipases A