Preclinical assessment of the Low-Intensity Laser application associated with antivenom therapy in the regeneration of muscle damaged by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom

• Grant number: 18/21590-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Luis Roberto de Camargo Gonçalves
• Grantee: Luis Roberto de Camargo Gonçalves
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Diva Denelle Spadacci Morena ; Juliana Mozer Sciani

Abstract

In Brazil, an average of 29,000 snakebites occurs each year. Of these, accidents caused by snakes of the genus Bothrops are the most frequent (86% of the total) and are the ones that cause the more severe local reactions. Signs as massive edema, local and systemic hemorrhages, and necrosis in skin and muscles are frequent in these envenoming and often result in debilitating sequelae. The antivenom therapy is effective in treating the systemic symptoms, but not in avoiding local lesions of such envenoming. The reason for the lack of effectiveness is the rapid action of toxins and endogenous mediators not related to toxins taking part in the pathogenesis of these lesions. Also, the antivenom does not affect the time-course of lesions recovery. We have observed that associating dexamethasone with antivenom reduced faster the inflammatory edema induced by Bothrops venoms and promoted a better regeneration of the muscle tissue harmed by these venoms. Low-intensity laser application is also efficient to avoid local effects of snake envenoming and in the recovery of injured muscle tissue. However, the mechanisms of its action are not known. Thus, this project aims to better understand the mechanisms responsible for this beneficial effect of the Laser on muscle regeneration, evaluating the inflammatory profile, the expression of angiogenic and proliferative factors of the regenerating tissue, using a model of association of the Low intensity Laser to the antiveneno therapy in the treatment of muscle injury induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom in mice. We will also evaluate the functional recovery of regenerated muscle. (AU)