A study on the cause of death due to waglerin-I, a toxin from Trimeresurus wagleri.

Abstract

Waglerin-I, a lethal toxin isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus wagleri, consists of 22 amino acid residues with a proline-rich sequence. In the present study, we investigated the cause of death and the possible site of action of this toxin. In anesthetized mice, i.v. administration of waglerin-I at 0.5 microgram/g produced respiratory failure within 5 min. The blood pressure could be maintained by the application of artificial respiration immediately after respiratory arrest. Waglerin-I at 4 microM reversibly blocked the indirect twitch of the mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation, but had no effect on the direct twitch. It is concluded that respiratory failure, resulting from neuromuscular block, is the primary cause of death due to waglerin-I in mice. In contrast to the results obtained in mice, in anesthetized rats no toxic effects on respiration and blood pressure were observed except for a transient hypotension up to 10 micrograms/g (i.v.). In accordance with the in vivo experiments, waglerin-I at concentrations up to 40 microM did not block the indirect twitch of the rat diaphragm. It thus appears that rats are resistant to the toxic effects of waglerin-I.

• Authors: W W Lin, L A Smith, C Y Lee
• Journal: Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology (Toxicon) Vol. 33 Issue 1 Pg. 111-4 (Jan 1995) ISSN: 0041-0101 [Print] England
• PMID: 7778124 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Toxins, Biological
• Viper Venoms

Topics

• Animals
• Cause of Death
• Mice
• Neuromuscular Junction (drug effects)
• Rats
• Toxins, Biological (toxicity)
• Viper Venoms (toxicity)