Restoration of nerve growth factor in organs of mice injected with cobra venom followed by specific treatment and reversal period.
Research from this laboratory reported the decreased levels of endogenously present nerve growth factor (NGF) in organs of mice as a consequence of sub-lethal injection of Naja kaouthia venom. This research reports that the decreased levels of NGF in organs of mice were prevented by (1) specific treatment and (2) restored to normal by a prolonged period. Adult female Balb/c mice were injected intramuscularly (IM) with a sub-lethal dose of cobra venom. The injected mice were divided into five groups. Mice in group I were injected with PBS, group II with anti-cobra venom, and group III with lethal toxin neutralizing factor (LTNF). Mice in group IV were treated IM with synthetic LTNF (LT-10), and mice in group V were treated orally with LT-10. After 24 hr. mice were sacrificed and NGF levels in organ homogenates were assayed and compared with control mice not injected with venom. It was observed that the organs from group I treated with PBS showed a tremendous drop in NGF level in comparison to the organs of the control mice. It was further revealed that the decreased levels of NGF in organs of injected mice were prevented by treatment with anti-cobra venom, LTNF and LT-10 by IM, or oral routes. In the second series of experiments, mice injected with sub-lethal dose of cobra venom were sacrificed after 1, 3, 7, and 10 days, and the organs were assayed for NGF levels. It was observed that the recovery period for normal homeostasis of NGF was between 7 and 10 days in the brain, heart, liver, salivary glands, and ovaries.
Lipps
Binie V
BV
Ophidia Products Inc, Houston, Texas 77035, USA. bvl@ophidia.com
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000997:Antivenins; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor