The relaxant effect of theMontivipera bornmuellerisnake venom on vascular contractility.
Molecular richness of snake venoms is an important source of proteins and toxins with potent effects on the cardiovascular system. The alteration of the vascular system in the victim after a venomous snake bite is usually expressed by a significant decrease in blood pressure. Therefore, exploring snake venom to extract and characterize its biomolecules is of considerable medical interest, and formed the basis of this study. We assessed the potential of the venom ofMontivipera bornmuelleri, a viper from Lebanon, to induce relaxant effect on isolated Wistar rat aorta via several mechanisms of action. The overall hypotensive effect ofMontivipera bornmuellerivenom results from its synergetic action on different channels for the reduction of blood pressure. By actions of its metalloproteinases and phospholipase A2, the venom may induce the production of nitric oxide acting accordingly a vasodilator effect. It could act on the voltage-dependent potassium channels and/or the L-type calcium channels, inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme and/or inhibiting the α1-adrenoceptors. This work demonstrates vasorelaxant effect of theMontivipera bornmuellerivenom acting on different pathways, reducing blood pressure.
Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LAB3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, Doctoral School of Science and Technology, Lebanese University , El Mittein Street, Tripoli , Lebanon.
Claudine
C
Accary
Faculty of Sciences II (Fanar), Lebanese University , B.P. 90656 Jdeidet El Maten , Lebanon.
Souad
S
Hraoui-Bloquet
American University, Department of Marine Sciences , Beirut , Lebanon.
Riyad
R
Sadek
BNMI, UMR CNRS 6214 - INSERM1083, University of Angers , France.
Asma
A
Alameddine
Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LAB3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, Doctoral School of Science and Technology, Lebanese University, El Mittein Street, Tripoli, Lebanon; Faculty of sciences III, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon.
Ziad
Z
Fajloun
Faculty of sciences III, Lebanese University , Tripoli , Lebanon.
Jean-Claude
JC
Desfontis
LUNAM, Oniris, Unit of Animal Pathophysiology and Functional Pharmacology , Nantes , France.
Yassine
Y
Mallem
Montivipera bornmuelleri; aortic rings; blood pressure; calcium channels; cardiovascular; snake venom; vasorelaxant