Intradermal injection of Bothrops cotiara venom in mice in an experimental wound model

Lopes JA (1), Giménez APL (1), Zischler LFCM (1), Stuelp-Campelo PM (1), Moreno AN (1), Elifio-Esposito SL (1, 2)

(1) Laboratory of Experimental Biology, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil; (2) Group for Advanced Molecular Investigation (NIMA), PPGCS/CCBS, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil.

Abstract: Bothropic envenomation induces hemorrhage, coagulant disturbances and necrosis. Regarding therapies against the local damage caused by the venom, there is little information on tissue changes until the complete healing. In the current study, local damage was evaluated by examination of morphological inflammatory alterations, mast cell count, and analysis of collagen deposition. Bleeding was evident four hours after inoculation. After 24 hours, a large area of injury appeared presenting disorganized tissue, significant hemorrhage and acute inflammation. After three days, the damaged area was extensive, with a large amount of inflammatory cells and the presence of scab. In seven days, healing and reepithelization process started. And, 21 days later, the epithelium showed less infiltration and no skin appendages. The number of mast cells was similar to control after four hours, with a drop of 50% at 24 hours, followed by an increase until the 21st day. No differences of collagen deposition were observed among experimental groups. Taken together, wound healing after intradermal injection of Bothrops cotiara venom in mice follows similar parameters to wounds caused by other bothropic venoms. The present work reveals the importance of experimental wound models to the study of neutralizing agents against venom toxins.

Key words: Bothrops venom, wound healing, inflammation, local damage.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Dr. Lucia de Noronha, Ana Paula Camargo Martins and the entire staff of the Laboratory of Experimental Pathology of PUCPR for the histological preparations; Dr. Antonio Adilson de Lima for his helpful advice and comments; Butantan Institute, SP, Brazil, for providing the Bothrops cotiara venom; and to the team of the animal facility of PUCPR.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: June 28, 2011.

Accepted: November 23, 2011.

Abstract published online: November 28, 2011.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The Araucária Foundation from Paraná state, Brazil, provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Use of Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Paraná state, Brazil, under protocol n. 196/07, and followed the national ethical standards for animal experimentation.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Selene Lobo Elifio-Esposito, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, 80215-901, Brasil. Phone: +55 41 3271 2282. Email: selene.e@pucpr.br.