Effect of Vipera berus berus and Vipera berus nikolskii venom on proteolytic balance in the tissue of the adrenal glands and testicles of rats

Abstract

Background: Vipera berus berus and Vipera berus nikolskii are the most widely spread Old World vipers in Europe, who contribute to almost all cases of snakebites on this territory. Their venoms are known to cause proteolysis, thrombocytopenia, induction of neurotoxicity and haemorrhage, among which proteolytic action constitute to the possible affection of all metabolic pathways in the targeted organs and in the whole organism. Methods: The influence of the viper venoms on the adrenal glands and testicles of injected rats was studied through the analysis of the concentration of proteins (Bradford method), evaluation of the qualitative protein profile (disc electrophoresis), distribution of active proteolytic molecules in the studied tissues (enzyme electrophoresis) and estimation of the appearance of low molecular weight molecules. Results: The decline of the number of the total protein, the alterations of the protein composition and the enzymatic redistribution were declared to appear in these organs under the action of the studied venoms proving the assumption of the proteolysis activation. Whereas, the increase in the level of low molecular weight molecules has emerged showing the onset of the state of toxicity. Conclusion: the study of the influence of the V. berus berus and V. berus nikolskii venoms on the protein balance of adrenal glands and testicles was performed, showing the impact on the amount of total proteins, its redistribution and connection with toxicity and proving the onset of pathological process.

Keywords

• proteolysis
• toxicity
• venom
• viper
• viperinae