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Bothropic envenomation is characterised by severe local damage caused by the toxic action of venom components and aggravated by induced inflammation. In this comparative study, the local inflammatory effects caused by the venoms of Bothrops alternatus and Bothrops moojeni, two snakes of epidemiological importance in Brazil, were investigated. The toxic action of venom components induced by bothropic venom was also characterised. Herein, the oedema, hyperalgesia and myotoxicity induced by bothropic venom were monitored for various lengths of time after venom injection in experimental animals. The intensity of the local effects caused by B. moojeni venom is considerably more potent than B. alternatus venom. Our results also indicate that metalloproteases and phospholipases A2 have a central role in the local damage induced by bothropic venoms, but serine proteases also contribute to the effects of these venoms. Furthermore, we observed that specific anti-inflammatory drugs were able to considerably reduce the oedema, the pain and the muscle damage caused by both venoms. The inflammatory reaction induced by B. moojeni venom is mediated by eicosanoid action, histamine and nitric oxide, with significant participation of bradykinin on the hyperalgesic and myotoxic effects of this venom. These mediators also participate to inflammation caused by B. alternatus venom. However, the inefficient anti-inflammatory effects of some local modulation suggest that histamine, leukotrienes and nitric oxide have little role in the oedema or myotoxicity caused by B. alternatus venom.

In this work, we describe the purification and characterization of a new serine protease enzyme from Bothrops moojeni snake venom (BmooSP). On SDS-PAGE, BmooSP was found to be a single-chain protein with an apparent molecular mass of 36,000 and 32,000 under reduced and non-reduced conditions, respectively. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the BmooSP is composed by two isoforms with molecular mass of 30,363 and 30,070, respectively. The purified enzyme consists of 277 amino acid residues, disregarding the cysteine and tryptophan residues that have been degraded by acid hydrolysis, and its N-terminal sequence showed similarity with other serine protease enzymes. BmooSP induced blood-clotting in vitro, defibrination in vivo, caseinolytic and fibrin(ogen)olytic activities. The enzyme is stable at high temperatures (up to 100 °C) and shows maximum activity at pH around 7.0. Preliminary results show that BmooSP can induce the formation of a stable fibrin clot for more than 10 days. BmooSP presents medical interest because it can be used as biodegradable fibrin glue and for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disorders because of its ability to promote the defibrination in vivo, decreasing blood viscosity and improving blood circulation.

BackgroundSnake venoms are a complex mixture of proteins, organic and inorganic compounds. Some of these proteins, enzymatic or non-enzymatic ones, are able to interact with platelet receptors, causing hemostatic disorders. The possible therapeutic potential of toxins with antiplatelet properties may arouse interest in the pharmacological areas. The present study aimed to purify and characterize an antiplatelet DC protein from Bothrops alternatus snake venom.MethodsThe protein, called BaltDC (DC protein from B. alternatus snake venom), was purified by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel column and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The molecular mass was estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE). The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal region was carried out by Edman degradation method. Platelet aggregation assays were performed in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used in order to elucidate the interactions between BaltDC and platelet membrane.ResultsBaltDC ran as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE and showed apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa under reducing or non-reducing conditions. The N-terminal region of the purified protein revealed the amino acid sequence IISPPVCGNELLEVGEECDCGTPENCQNECCDA, which showed identity with other snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). BaltDC was devoid of proteolytic, hemorrhagic, defibrinating or coagulant activities, but it showed a specific inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin and epinephrine in PRP. IR analysis spectra strongly suggests that PO3 2− groups, present in BaltDC, form hydrogen bonds with the PO2 − groups present in the non-lipid portion of the membrane platelets.ConclusionsBaltDC may be of medical interest since it was able to inhibit platelet aggregation.