EFFECTS OF THREE FRACTIONS OBTAINED FROM Naja haje VENOM ON HEMOLYSIS AND LIPID METABOLISM IN RABBITS

A. A. EL-AAL(1), A. R. EZZAT(1)

1 Zoology  Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

ABSTRACT. Three fractions (F1, F2 and F3) were obtained from the venom of the Egyptian cobra Naja haje by gel filtration. F1 and F2 had indirect hemolytic effects on rabbit erythrocytes. The HU50 (the amount of the fraction causing 50% hemolysis ) values of F1 and F2 were 12.04 ± 3.89 and 36.57 ± 2.20 µg, respectively. The effects of the three cobra venom fractions on lipid metabolism were studied after 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours. Serum total lipids and cholesterol were significantly decreased at almost all tested times, but variable changes were observed in the serum triglycerides.  Serum  inorganic phosphorus levels were significantly increased with F1 and  F2 administration more than that with the F3  fraction. These results suggest that F1 and F2 possess phospholipase A2-like activities and their effects on the lipid metabolism is more intense than that of F3.

KEY WORDS: Naja haje venom fractions, hemolysis, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, inorganic phosphorus.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

A. ABD EL-AAL - Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.