Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Dec 1989)
South american rattlesnake venom: its hemolytic power
Abstract
The hemolytic power of rattlesnake venom (Crotalus durissus terrificus) was Studied. A high percentage of sample with negative hemolytic power was detected when sheep red blood cells were used. A large number of venoms with hemolytic power, though with a low hemolysis percentage, were detected when liquid, recently extracted venom was used. When crystallized venom was used under the same experimental conditions, a higher percentage ofpositivityfor hemolysis was obtained. When the results obtained on agar plates were compared to those obtained in test tubes, a large number of animals with a higher percentage of hemolysis were detected, though this value was not proportional to the number of animals showing positive plate hemolysis. When the hemolytic power of these venoms was tested on human red blood cells, a large percentage of animals with venoms having a low hemolytic power was also detected. Hemolytic power was much greater when human red blood cells were tested with crystallized venom. The preparation of red blood cells also had an important effect and the use of red blood cells from defibrinated blood is recommended. We conclude that rattlesnake venom has hemolytic power that increases when the venom is crystallized. Red blood cells should be properly preparedfor the lysis reactions. We suggest that the lytic power of the venom is related to venom concentration and to the purity of its fractions.Foi estudado o poder hemolitico do veneno da cascavel (Crotalus durissus terrificus). Encontrou-se grande número de suas frações sem capacidade de hemolisar eritrócitos de carneiro. O veneno "in natura", recentemente extraído, e em estado líquido tem pouca atividade litica. A cristalização do veneno aumenta sua concentração e poder lítico. Os resultados de hemólise do sangue de carneiro obtidos em placas e tubos foram comparados evidenciando um grande número de animais com venenos com alto poder hemolítico. Os valores não foram proporcionais quando os mesmos venenos foram examinados com hemáceas de homem. Neste caso os percentuais de hemólise foram mais baixos. Pode-se verificar que o poder hemolítico do veneno se relaciona com a concentração e pureza de suas frações.
