title: Hypotensive effects of the Crotalus durissus cascavella venom: involvement of NO.
abstract: Crotalus durissus cascavella is a snake native of northeastern Brazil. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of C. d. cascavella venom on rat mean arterial pressure and vascular reactivity in the mesenteric vascular bed. The venom evoked a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure, cardiac and respiratory frequency with increased plasma nitrite levels. L-NAME (10 mg/kg) blunted both the hypotension and increased nitrite production observed after the venom administration. To investigate the effects of C. d. cascavella in resistance vessels, the vascular mesenteric bed was studied, and the results suggested that the hypotensive effect of the venom is not dependent on a direct vasodilatory activity. In conclusion, C. d. cascavella venom presented indirect hypotensive effects with the involvement of nitric oxide.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, Estadual University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Janaina S A M
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: João J F
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: Inez L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: Diva M B
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Nojosa
authors.forename: Nilberto R F
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Marcellus H L P
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Renata S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Alice M C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Maria Elisabete A
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: Helena S A
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D017839:Crotalus / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D009573:Nitrites