Evaluation of hematological parameters and mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in mice submitted to experimental envenomation by Bothrops Jararaca and Bothrops atrox

• Grant number: 24/08794-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Larami Santoro
• Grantee: Camila Maria Carvalho dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Snakebites caused by serpents of the genus Bothrops are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in various regions of Latin America, including Brazil. The venom from these snakes is known for being rich in toxins and enzymes that can cause hemotoxic disturbances, impacting the coagulation process and increasing the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia, a reduction in the count of circulating platelets in the blood is often observed in these cases. Studies with Asian snake venoms have identified platelet desialylation as one of the contributing mechanisms to thrombocytopenia in envenomation, involving the removal of sialic acid from the platelet surface by endogenous neuraminidases. Drugs that inhibit neuraminidases, such as oseltamivir phosphate, typically used for treating viral infections, are being investigated as an adjunctive therapy in cases of thrombocytopenia through their mechanism of inhibiting the exposure of galactose on platelet surface glycoproteins during desialylation, thereby extending the lifespan of the platelets. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of oseltamivir phosphate and gadolinium chloride on thrombocytopenia induced in mice by experimental envenomation with Bothrops jararaca and Bothrops atrox venoms, as well as to investigate the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia and platelet clearance in Bothrops envenomation.