title: Comparative analysis of local effects caused by Bothrops alternatus and Bothrops moojeni snake venoms: enzymatic contributions and inflammatory modulations.
abstract: Bothropic envenomation is characterised by severe local damage caused by the toxic action of venom components and aggravated by induced inflammation. In this comparative study, the local inflammatory effects caused by the venoms of Bothrops alternatus and Bothrops moojeni, two snakes of epidemiological importance in Brazil, were investigated. The toxic action of venom components induced by bothropic venom was also characterised. Herein, the oedema, hyperalgesia and myotoxicity induced by bothropic venom were monitored for various lengths of time after venom injection in experimental animals. The intensity of the local effects caused by B. moojeni venom is considerably more potent than B. alternatus venom. Our results also indicate that metalloproteases and phospholipases A2 have a central role in the local damage induced by bothropic venoms, but serine proteases also contribute to the effects of these venoms. Furthermore, we observed that specific anti-inflammatory drugs were able to considerably reduce the oedema, the pain and the muscle damage caused by both venoms. The inflammatory reaction induced by B. moojeni venom is mediated by eicosanoid action, histamine and nitric oxide, with significant participation of bradykinin on the hyperalgesic and myotoxic effects of this venom. These mediators also participate to inflammation caused by B. alternatus venom. However, the inefficient anti-inflammatory effects of some local modulation suggest that histamine, leukotrienes and nitric oxide have little role in the oedema or myotoxicity caused by B. alternatus venom.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-Biofarmacêutica (N-Biofar), 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: carlacristinenm@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Carla Cristine Neves
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mamede
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-Biofarmacêutica (N-Biofar), 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruna Barbosa
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Déborah Fernanda da Cunha
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Santos
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Matias
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-Biofarmacêutica (N-Biofar), 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mayara Ribeiro
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Queiroz
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-Biofarmacêutica (N-Biofar), 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nadia Cristina Gomes
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: de Morais
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sâmela Alves Pereira Batista
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-Biofarmacêutica (N-Biofar), 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonilda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stanziola
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-Biofarmacêutica (N-Biofar), 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017837:Bothrops; D001938:Brazil; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000633:toxicity*; D006632:Histamine / Q000502:physiology; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D030162:Reptilian Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D030162:Reptilian Proteins; D006632:Histamine; D007213:Indomethacin
keywords: Bothrops alternatus; Bothrops moojeni; Inflammation; Phospholipases A(2); Proteases; Snake venom