The effects of snake venoms on the cardiovascular and haemostatic mechanisms

Marsh, Neville; Whaler, B. C.

doi:10.1016/0020-711x(78)90001-0

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It has long been known that some snake venoms dramatically lower the blood pressure in human victims and experimental animals [ 124 – 126 ]. This effect could either be caused directly by specific hypotensive agents present in the venom or indirectly through pulmonary vascular obstruction and coronary ischemia [ 127 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Venomous snakes elicit stronger fear than nonvenomous ones: Psychophysiological response to snake images

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Snakes have been important ambush predators of both primates and human hunter-gatherers throughout their co-evolutionary history. Viperid snakes in particular are responsible for most fatal venomous snakebites worldwide and thus represent a strong selective pressure. They elicit intense fear in humans and are easily recognizable thanks to their distinctive morphotype. In this study, we measured skin resistance (SR) and heart rate (HR) in human subjects exposed to snake pictures eliciting either high fear (10 venomous viperid species) or disgust (10 nonvenomous fossorial species). Venomous snakes subjectively evaluated as frightening trigger a stronger physiological response (higher SR amplitude) than repulsive non-venomous snakes. However, stimuli presented in a block (more intense stimulation) do not trigger a stronger emotional response compared to sequentially presented stimuli (less intense stimulation). There are significant interindividual differences as subjects with high fear of snakes confronted with images of viperid snakes show stronger, longer-lasting, and more frequent changes in SR and higher HR compared to low-fear subjects. Thus, we show that humans demonstrate a remarkable ability to discriminate between dangerous viperids and harmless fossorial snakes, which is also reflected in distinct autonomous body responses.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Venomous snakes elicit stronger fear than nonvenomous ones: Psychophysiological response to snake images

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Snakes belong to the phylum of vertebrates and class of reptiles; they form with the Saurians, the order of Squamates which are divided into four families: Elapidae located in southeast of Asia, in central and southern America and Australia. Hydrophidae distributed in Asia [6]. Crotalidae are found in North America as well as in South Asia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathophysiological and Pharmacological Effects of Snake Venom Components: Molecular Targets

Fatima¹,

Chérifi²

2014

J Clinic Toxicol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Snake venoms are a mixture of hydrolases which produce complex pathogenesis such as bleeding, dermo/ myonecrosis, inflammation and coagulation disorders. The toxicity of venoms cannot be attributed to only one component. It is well known that venom components present antagonist activities, while some of them work synergistically. Binding to their intra-and extra-cellular or molecular targets, leads these components to generate severe disturbances which might concern several systems through complex mechanisms. Some of these mechanisms are still not yet elucidated. Thus, some of these components can act at different steps of blood coagulation by activating or inhibiting several molecular or cellular targets thereby inducing blood disorders. Despite their effects, it is well established that some of components from snake venoms present beneficial effects when acting alone as purified entity. Appropriate treatments of snakebite victims need a complete understanding of the pharmacological roles of the different venom components. Thus, this review emphasizes the toxicological relevance of snake venoms mainly those of Viperidae and their components as pharmacological bioactive tools.

show abstract

“…While such fear may be associated with a variety of psychological consequences such as nausea, vomiting and syncope 8 it is interesting to note that venomous snakes have evolved to possess specic venom proteins that dramatically lower the blood pressure of their victims. 9,10 These proteins include the bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPP), natriuretic peptides (NP), and blockers of L-type (Ca V 1) voltage-gated calcium channels.…”

Section: Anti-hypertensive Agentsmentioning

confidence: 99%