Release of Cytokines in the Peritoneal Fluid of C57BL/6 Mice After <i>Bothrops jararaca</i> and <i>Bothrops atrox</i> Venom Injection

Abstract

The release of cytokines in the peritoneal fluid after stimulation with Bothrops atrox and Bothrops jararaca venoms is a crucial process in the inflammatory response triggered by these venoms. The toxins present in the venoms of snakes from the Bothrops genus induce a complex inflammatory response, which includes the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, chemokines like GM-CSF, MCP-1, and the mast cell degranulation marker MCPT-1. These cytokines play a central role in amplifying inflammation, recruiting leukocytes, and increasing vascular permeability, resulting in edema, pain, and tissue damage at the inoculation site. Peritoneal fluid is commonly used in experimental studies to investigate local inflammatory responses, allowing for the evaluation of the dynamics of inflammatory molecule release. In this study, we used female C57BL/6 mice and observed that Bothrops atrox venom induced a significantly more intense inflammatory response compared to Bothrops jararaca venom. Specifically, Bothrops atrox venom led to a higher release of TNF-α and an increase in MCP-1 levels in peritoneal fluid when compared to Bothrops jararaca venom. These changes resulted in a more pronounced inflammatory condition, with increased leukocyte recruitment in the Bothrops atrox group. Understanding the cytokine profile released in response to these venoms can provide important insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in snakebite accidents and contribute to the development of more effective treatments, such as antivenoms and inflammation modulators.

Keywords

• snake venom
• inflammation
• tropical disease
• inflammatory response