Acute Effects of the Iranian Snake (Naja Naja Oxiana) Venom on Heart

The myocardial effect of snake venoms is considered as one of the most common pathogenesis in many cases of snake envenomation. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the Iranian cobra (Naja naja oxiana) venom on cardiac function in experimental animals. The blood samples from all the rabbits were collected before venom injection, and then 140 μg kg-1 venom of snake (Naja naja oxiana) was injected intramuscularly to the rabbits. Following venom injection the blood was collected again at 1, 3 and 24 h. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded during the experiment. The levels of serum enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase- MB (CK-MB) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were determined. Statistical analyses were carried out by SPSS version 21 software. CPK enzyme showed a significant increase at 1 and 3 h after venom injection. The level of CK-MB also rose significantly after 1 h following venom injection. However, even at 24 h the level of CPK was not changed significantly, and the rise in CK-MB at 3 and 24 h following venom injection was not significant statistically. Although there was a rise in LDH level following venom injection but it was not significant. The ECG also confirmed changes in heart rhythmic and showed bradycardia and T tall. Based on the results obtained in the present study, it seems that the Naja naja oxiana venom has acute effect on cardiac system during the first few hours of snake bite.