EletrophoreticalCharacterization And InducionOf Edema And NociceptionBy The Skin Venom Of The Catfish Genidens genidens

^{1,2Junqueira, M. E. P.; 2Mondin, A. C.; 1}Lopes, C.; ²Lopes-Ferreira, M.

1 Lab Microbiologia e Imunologia – UNESP – Botucatu, Brazil; 2 Lab Imunopatologia - Instituto Butantan, Brazil

In the costal waters of Brazil the number of accidents with venomous marine fishes is grate. Over the São Paulo State coast accidents with catfish are often, especially with Genidens genidens. This fish presents three different venoms that can be found mixed with the skin mucus, covering the stings or in axially glands. The objective of this work is to do an eletrophoretical characterization and evaluate important biological activities (nociception, edema, hemorrhage and necrosis) induced by the skin venom. Eletrophoretical pattern was assessed by SDS-PAGE (12%). To evaluate the induction of nociception and edema, different doses of venom (0,3; 3 and 30 mg) were injected in mice paw. To evaluate necrosis and hemorrhage, the venom (50 and 150 mg) was injected in mice back, being analyzed after 2 h and 72 h, respectively. Swiss mice (18-22 g) were utilized in all biological assays. Control groups were injected with sterile PBS. SDS-PAGE showed 15 bands between 14 – 97 kDa, the major ones have 45 kDa. All doses tested induced nociception. Doses 0,3 and 3 mg presented similar results: (71,4 ± 42,4 s and 60,0 ± 21,0 s, respectively) while injecting 30 mg, nociception was more evident (123,4 ± 38 s). Only 3 and 30 mg induced edema formation. With 3 mg edema was formed after 30 min (48 ± 16 mm) and with 30 mg edema was formed in all times tested 15 min (52,2 ± 17,7 mm), 30 min (71,2 ± 11,2 mm) and 2 h (86,0 ± 13,1 mm). We didn’t observed hemorrhage and necrosis, eventhough injecting high doses. We can conclude that the catfish G. genidens skin venom induces important nociception and edema and presents a complex eletrophoretical pattern.

Correspondence to: mepj@uol.com.br