Action of polivalent bothropic antivenom on proteolytic activities from peruvian snake venoms

Abstract

Peruvian snake venoms responsible for most of ophidism accidents, contain proteolytic enzymes that can degrade tissue and plasmatic proteins, as well as cause hypotension and blood coagulation. Objectives. The inhibiting capacity of liquid polyvalent bothropic antivenom produced by Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS), has been evaluated on caseinolytic, coagulant and amidolytic activities on Bothrops atrox, Bothrops brazili, Bothrops pictus and Bothrops barnetti venoms. Material and methods. Using in each case casein, bovine fibrinogen and the chromogenic substrate BApNA respectively, measuring changes in values of enzymatic activity at ½, 1 and 2 doses of either natural and heating (incubated at 37 °C during five days) antivenom. Results. Caseinolytic activity is more resistant to inhibition especially by the natural antivenom, amidolytic activity was severely inhibited mainly in B. pictus and B. atrox venoms. Also coagulant activity was totally inhibited in B. pictus venom, being high on B. brazili and B. atrox venoms. For coagulant and amidolytic activities, heated antivenom was less effective than natural one. Conclusions. The bothropic antivenom produced by INS is effective to inhibit the proteolytic activity from Peruvian snake venoms tested.