Affiliation:
1. Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, State of Paraíba, 58050-585, Brazil
Abstract
Introduction:
Approximately 90% of reported and identified cases of snakebites in Brazil are caused by species belonging to the Bothrops genus. These snakes have clinical rele-vance due to their venom composition, which contains substances capable of triggering local and systemic effects, leading to morbidities and/or mortality.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic and toxinological effects of Both-rops Jararacussu snake venom on zebrafish embryos and larvae.
Methods:
The stability of B. Jararacussu snake venom under the conditions used in the toxicity experiments in zebrafish embryos and larvae was evaluated on citrated human plasma. Zebrafish embryos and/or larvae mortality, morphological alterations, spontaneous tail movements and heartbeat caused by the venom were quantified within 96 hours. Toxicity parameters and activity of enzyme-related toxicity biomarkers were evaluated in zebrafish after 96 hours of semi-static exposure to the venom.
Results:
The results indicated that the venom causes toxicity in zebrafish embryos and larvae, in-ducing embryonic mortality, alteration in the number of spontaneous tail movements and activity of biomarker enzymes. The results suggested that the toxic effects caused by the venom in the ear-ly stages of zebrafish development are mediated, in part, by neurotoxic action, induction of oxida-tive and metabolic stress caused by low molecular weight components, and proteins present in this venom.
Conclusion:
Toxinological evaluations using the zebrafish as a model are scarce; however, this study presented promising results that encourage the development of future research in toxinology using this animal as a model organism.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Management of Technology and Innovation