Viper venom-induced oxidative stress and activation of inflammatory cytokines: a therapeutic approach for overlooked issues of snakebite management.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The snakebite mortality rate has been significantly reduced due to effective anti-venin therapy. The intravenously infused anti-venom will neutralize free and target-bound toxins but fails to neutralize venom-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, as the antigen-antibody complex itself is pro-inflammatory. Therefore, an auxiliary therapy is necessary to treat secondary/overlooked envenomation complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Blood samples from healthy donors were treated with viper venom (100 μg/ml) for 2 h. The venom-induced inflammation, oxidative damage and effect of crocin pre-treatment were determined by assessing the serum levels of cytoplasmic, lysosomal and oxidative stress markers along with pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2.

RESULTS:

Significantly increased stress markers, cytoplasmic, lysosomal and extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes as well as the pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2 indicated increased cellular damage but significantly reduced oxidative damage and inflammation in crocin pre-treated groups.

CONCLUSION:

The data clearly suggest that venom-induced oxidative stress and inflammation is also responsible for oxidative burst and cell death in the circulation, which may worsen even after anti-venin therapy. Hence, the current study demands a supportive therapy in addition to anti-venin therapy to neutralize the overlooked issues of snakebite.

• Authors: M Sebastin Santhosh, M Shanmuga Sundaram, K Sunitha, K Kemparaju, K S Girish
• Journal: Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] (Inflamm Res) Vol. 62 Issue 7 Pg. 721-31 (Jul 2013) ISSN: 1420-908X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 23657249 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Cytokines
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Sulfhydryl Compounds
• Viper Venoms
• Carotenoids
• crocin
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
• Catalase
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• PTGS2 protein, human
• Superoxide Dismutase
• Alkaline Phosphatase
• Glycoside Hydrolases
• Hyaluronoglucosaminidase
• Glutathione

Topics

• Alkaline Phosphatase (metabolism)
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Carotenoids (pharmacology)
• Catalase (metabolism)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (metabolism)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Glutathione (metabolism)
• Glycoside Hydrolases (metabolism)
• Humans
• Hyaluronoglucosaminidase (metabolism)
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (metabolism)
• Oxidative Stress
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Serum (metabolism)
• Snake Bites
• Sulfhydryl Compounds (metabolism)
• Superoxide Dismutase (metabolism)
• Viper Venoms (pharmacology)