Title
Cardiotoxic Effects of Micrurus surinamensis (Cuvier, 1817) Snake Venom
Date Issued
01 June 2021
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Reis L.d.P.G.
Botelho A.F.M.
Novais C.R.
Fiúza A.T.L.
Barreto M.S.O.
Ferreira M.G.
Bonilla C.
Melo M.M.
Universidade Federal de Goiás
Publisher(s)
Springer
Abstract
Micrurus surinamensis is a coral snake from the Elapidae family of wide distribution in Amazonia Forest. Its venom contains neurotoxins that induce muscular and respiratory paralysis; however, its cardiovascular action is not yet characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiotoxic effects caused by M. surinamensis poisoning in rodents. Twelve guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were distributed in two groups (n = 6) named as control and envenomed. The control group received 0.2 ml of PBS/BSA via intramuscular injection (IM), while envenomed animals received 0.75 µg of venom per g of body weight, also via IM. Electrocardiographic examination (ECG) and biochemical serum tests were conducted before and 2 h after inoculation. ECG of the envenomed animals revealed severe progressive arrhythmias including atrioventricular block, supraventricular, and ventricular extrasystoles. Serum biochemistry showed significant increase in CK, CK-MB, and LDH enzymes corroborating the skeletal and cardiac muscle damage. Myonecrosis and degeneration were observed in both skeletal and heart muscle; nevertheless, transmission electron microscopy revealed cardiac muscle fibers fragmentation. In conclusion, M. surinamensis venom has a potent cardiotoxic activity eliciting arrhythmogenic effects and heart damage after only 2 h of envenomation.
Start page
462
End page
471
Volume
21
Issue
6
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Ciencia veterinaria Toxicología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85100818095
PubMed ID
Source
Cardiovascular Toxicology
ISSN of the container
15307905
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus