Experimental ophitoxemia produced by the opisthoglyphous lora snake (Philodryas olfersii) venom.
Several colubrid snakes produce venomous oral secretions. In this work, the venom collected from Venezuelan opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) Philodryas olfersii snake was studied. Different proteins were present in its venom and they were characterized by 20% SDS-PAGE protein electrophoresis. The secretion exhibited proteolytic (gelatinase) activity, which was partially purified on a chromatography ionic exchange mono Q2 column. Additionally, the haemorrhagic activity of Philodryas olfersii venom on chicken embryos, mouse skin and peritoneum was demonstrated. Neurotoxic symptoms were demonstrated in mice inoculated with Philodryas olfersii venom. In conclusion, Philodryas olfersii venom showed proteolytic, haemorrhagic, and neurotoxic activities, thus increasing the interest in the high toxic action of Philodryas venom.
Rodríguez-Acosta
Alexis
A
Instituto de Medicina Tropical Felix Pifano, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. rodriguf@ucv.ve
Lemoine
Karel
K
Navarrete
Luis
L
Girón
María E
ME
Aguilar
Irma
I
D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D017812:Colubridae; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000032:analysis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
D012910:Snake Venoms; D018093:Gelatinases