Prospective study of a Bothrops jararacussu venom batch (Bj2015) - phospholipase A2 activity, immunogenicity, neurotoxicity, and myotoxicity parameters

Nat Prod Res. 2019 Aug;33(16):2417-2421. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1446010. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Abstract

Bothrops jararacussu venom's (Bj2015) batch was biomonitored quarterly for one year to assess phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity, immunogenicity, neurotoxicity, and myotoxicity. In silico models were applied to evaluate losses using decay model and recoveries by predictive trend analysis. Mice were immunized with Bj2015. Antibodies were detected by double-immunodiffusion and total protein and albumin were measured. Neuromuscular blockade-induced by 40 μg mL-1 venom solution was carried out using mouse nerve phrenic-diaphragm preparation. Resulting muscles were submitted to light microscopy to evaluate the myotoxicity. PLA2 activity of 0.1 mg mL-1 Bj2015 was measured using 4-nitro-3-(octanoyloxy)benzoic acid as substrate. Over time, greater losses occurred in neurotoxicity than PLA2, but not in myotoxicity and immunogenicity. Concluding, the neurotoxicity decrease can be related to enzymatic losses, including PLA2. Depending on the purpose of use, the collected venom responds on a long time, avoiding unnecessary new collections, improving life quality of animals in captivity and increasing their longevity.

Keywords: immunogenicity; myotoxicity; neurotoxicity; phospholipase A activity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bothrops / physiology*
  • Crotalid Venoms / enzymology
  • Crotalid Venoms / immunology
  • Crotalid Venoms / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Muscles / drug effects
  • Neurotoxins / pharmacology
  • Phospholipases A2 / metabolism
  • Phrenic Nerve / drug effects
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Crotalid Venoms
  • Neurotoxins
  • Phospholipases A2