Title of article :
Hemodynamic Changes Provoked through Intravascular Injection of the Echis carinatus Venom in Rats
Author/Authors :
Zaeri, S Department of Pharmacology - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences - Bushehr, Iran , Fatemikia, H Department of Physiology - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Kamyab, M Department of Aquatic Biotechnology - Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology - Shahid Beheshti University Tehran, Iran , Esmaili, A Department of Pathology - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences - Bushehr, Iran , Kim, E College of Veterinary Medicine - Gyeongsang National University - Jinju, KR , Mohammadpour Dounighi, N Department of Human Vaccine and Serum - Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute - Agricultural Research - Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) - Karaj, Iran , Salemi, A Department of Human Vaccine and Serum - Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute - Agricultural Research - Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) - Karaj, Iran , Khadem, P School of Medicine - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences - Bushehr, Iran , Seyedian, R Department of Pharmacology - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences - Bushehr, Iran
Abstract :
Echis carinatus (E. carinatus) is known for its hematological and nephrotoxic properties in the envenomed
patients. Based on the limited data upon the cardiovascular changes associated with this dangerous venomous
snake in Iran, the current study purposed to evaluate the venom-induced hemodynamic manifestations in rats.
Venom (120 μg/kg) was administered intravenously within one minute through the left femoral vein, and the
hemodynamic parameters were continuously recorded using a pressure transducer (MLT844, ADInstruments,
Australia). The venom caused prominent hypotension leading to death a few minutes after a transient uprise in
blood pressure. It also induced a decrease in heart and pulmonary rates, yet it had no arrhythmogenic properties.
Additionally, pre-treatment with the pepsin-derived Iranian polyvalent antivenom (30 μl/Kg) completely
neutralized the hemodynamic responses but had no effect when instilled two minutes after venom injection.
Heparin (300 IU/kg) and epinephrine (1.5 μg/kg) prevented dramatic hypotension when used 10 minutes before
venom instillation; however, atropine (1 mg/kg), dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), and ketorolac (10 mg/ml) had no
effects. All treated rats were killed post-injection. Histologically, the lung was the most vulnerable organ with
mononuclear infiltration, microcystic formation, and significant capillary congestion. Prominent renal
pathological deterioration also occurred, including mesangial cell infiltration and diffuse bleeding, leading to
acute tubular necrosis. Modest portal inflammation and vascular congestion were observed in the hepatic tissue
of the envenomed rats. The crude venom of Iranian Echis carinatus caused hypotension leading to bradycardia,
a decrease in pulmonary rate, and death without significant histological changes to the heart.
Keywords :
antivenom , hemodynamic , snake , venom , Echis carinatus
Journal title :
Archives of Razi Institute