Possible divergences in biological activities of venoms of adult and newborn Bothrops jararaca snakes

• Grant number: 08/00266-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2008
• End date: November 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Toxicology
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Larami Santoro
• Grantee: Thatiane Cristina Antunes
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The pit vipers of the genus Bothrops, especially Bothrops jararaca, are responsible for the majority of snakebite accidents in São Paulo State, Brazil. The symptoms of envenomation by this snake include edema, ecchymosis, local and systemic bleeding, and disturbances of blood coagulation. In the most severe cases, the patients may develop necrosis with consequent amputation of the injured limb, shock and renal failure. However, the clinical picture produced by young and adult B. jararaca snakebites has been reported not to be identical. Adult serpents can induce more local symptoms, like edema, blisters and necrosis, indicating the higher proteolytic activity of their venoms, while the venom of newborn snakes can cause more disturbances in blood coagulation. This study aims to compare the biological activity and composition of venom pools obtained from adult and newborn specimens of B. jararaca; for that purpose, tests will be performed to compare the main biological and enzymatic activities of both venoms, such as proteolytic, coagulant, hemorrhagic, myotoxic and edema-forming activities, as well as to analyze the electrophoretic profile of venoms and to determine their protein content. Thus, we expect to achieve an increased understanding about the mechanism of action of this and other venoms.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ANTUNES, THATIANE C.; YAMASHITA, KARINE M.; BARBARO, KATIA C.; SAIKI, MITIKO; SANTORO, MARCELO L.. Comparative analysis of newborn and adult Bothrops jararaca snake venoms. Toxicon, v. 56, n. 8, p. 1443-1458, DEC 2010. (08/00266-2, 08/02996-8)