AN in vivo METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE CONCENTRATION OF CROTAMINE IN A SOLUTION

O. G. HAMPE(1), A. A. BELLÓ(2)

1 Department of Biophysics and 2 Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

ABSTRACT.  A very sensitive method for estimating the concentration of crotamine in a solution was developed. This method was based on the time required for the appearance of permanent hyperextension of the rear legs of mice as a function of the dose administered. This method can be used to determine toxin doses as low as 0.32 mg/kg-1. Its high specificity for crotamine means that it can be used to measure toxin concentrations in the presence of other proteins and polypeptides.

KEY WORDS: Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, crotamine, method to estimate the concentration.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

O. G. HAMPE - Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.