Intrahippocampal Infusion of Crotamine Isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus Alters Plasma and Brain Biochemical Parameters †

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Rithiele Gon๺lves³  Liane S. Vargas³  Marcus V. S. Lara³  Angélica Güllich³  Vanusa Mandredini³  Luis Ponce-Soto¹  Sergio Marangoni¹  Cháriston A. Dal Belo⁴  Pâmela B. Mello-Carpes³  Solange Cristina Garcia² 

[1] Laboratório de Química de Proteínas (LAQUIP), Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), P.O. Box 6109, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil; E-Mails:Physiology Research Group, Graduate Program on Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), P.O. Box 118, 97500-970, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil;;Physiology Research Group, Graduate Program on Biochemistry, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), P.O. Box 118, 97500-970, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; E-Mails:;Neurobiology and Toxinology Group (LANETOX), Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), 97300-000, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil; E-Mail:

关键词: snake venom;    toxicity;    inflammation;    oxidative parameters;    brain;    plasma;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph111111438

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Crotamine is one of the main constituents of the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Here we sought to investigate the inflammatory and toxicological effects induced by the intrahippocampal administration of crotamine isolated from Crotalus whole venom. Adult rats received an intrahippocampal infusion of crotamine or vehicle and were euthanized 24 h or 21 days after infusion. Plasma and brain tissue were collected for biochemical analysis. Complete blood count, creatinine, urea, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), creatine-kinase (CK), creatine kinase-muscle B (CK-MB) and oxidative parameters (assessed by DNA damage and micronucleus frequency in leukocytes, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls in plasma and brain) were quantified. Unpaired and paired t-tests were used for comparisons between saline and crotamine groups, and within groups (24 h vs. 21 days), respectively. After 24 h crotamine infusion promoted an increase of urea, GOT, GPT, CK, and platelets values (p ≤ 0.01), while red blood cells, hematocrit and leukocytes values decreased (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, 21 days after infusion crotamine group showed increased creatinine, leukocytes, TBARS (plasma and brain), carbonyl (plasma and brain) and micronucleus compared to the saline-group (p ≤ 0.01). Our findings show that crotamine infusion alter hematological parameters and cardiac markers, as well as oxidative parameters, not only in the brain, but also in the blood, indicating a systemic pro-inflammatory and toxicological activity. A further scientific attempt in terms of preserving the beneficial activity over toxicity is required.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.