EFFECTS CAUSED BY Bothrops moojeni VENOM IN THE ISOLATED RAT KIDNEY METHOD

Barbosa, P.S.F., Havt, A., Facó, P.E.G., Bezerra, I.S.A.M., Aragão, B.J.M., Martins, A.M.C., Nobre, A.C.L., Soares, T.F.C., Fonteles, M.C., Monteiro, H.S.A.

Federal University of Ceará, UFC.

Acute renal failure is one of the most common systemic complications after snakebite. However, its pathogenesis remains obscure. In this study we evaluated the renal effects of Bothrops moojeni venom in the isolated perfuse drat kidneys. Adult male Wistar rats (240 - 280 g) were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and after careful dissection of the right kidney, the right renal artery was cannulated via mesenteric artery without interrupting the blood flow as described by Fonteles and coworkers (Am. J. Physiol. 244, 235-346, 1983). The crude venom (10 mg /mL) was added to the perfusion system 30 min after the beginning of each perfusion. Maximum effects were seen in the last 30 minutes of each perfusion named 120 minutes. The renal effects were compared with a control group (CG), perfused with only modified Krebs-Henseleit solution and statistic analyses were done by Student t Test (*p< 0,05). Bothrops moojeni venom (Bm) decreased the perfusion pressure (CG₁₂₀ = 113,5± 0,833: Bm₁₂₀ = 78,8 ±  7,1), renal vascular resistance (CG₁₂₀ = 5.216 ± 0,16 mmHg/mL^-1. g^-1.min^-1, Bm₁₂₀ = 3,47 ± 0,36 mmHg/mL^-1. g^-1.min^-1), and the percentage of sodium, potassium and chloride tubular transport. In contrast, the venom increased the urinary flow (CG₁₂₀ = 0,150 ± 0,002 mL^-1. g^-1.min^-1, Bm₁₂₀ = 0,397 ± 0,039 mL^-1. g^-1.min^-1), glomerular filtration rate (CG₁₂₀ = 0,617 ± 0,022 mL^-1. g^-1.min^-1, Bm₁₂₀ = 1,512 ± 0,039 mL^-1. g^-1.min^-1), and sodium, potassium and chloride excretion. In conclusion, Bothrops moojeni venom caused intense alterations in renal physiology, including a drop in vascular resistance associated with diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis. Bradykinin potentiating peptides presented in this venom possibly contributed to the decrease in vascular parameters.

Supported by FUNCAP/CAPES/CNPq

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

Patrícia Emília Gomes Faço, Rua Síria nº 23, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60740840, Brasil, Email: patyfaco@uol.com.br