Abstract
Thalassophryne nattereri (niquim) is a venomous fish responsible for numerous accidents involving fishermen in northern and northeastern Brazil. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the action of antivenom on renal effects caused by Thalassophryne nattereri venom. Isolated kidneys of Wistar rats were perfused with a previously dialyzed Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 6 g% bovine serum albumin. The antivenom action was studied through perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), urinary flow (UF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The niquim venom (1 µg/mL), the antivenom alone (1 µg/mL) or the venom incubated with antivenom were added to the system 30 minutes after the beginning of each perfusion. Previous works have shown venom induced-alterations of renal function parameters. In the isolated rat kidney, T. nattereri venom (1 µg/mL) increased the perfusion pressure and renal vascular resistance at 60, 90 and 120 minutes. UF and GFR also increased at 60, 90 and 120 minutes when compared with the control group; however, no effects were observed on the percent of sodium (%TNa+control = 81.1 ±0.86; %TNa+60 = 78.04 ±1.18; %TNa+90 = 76.16 ±3.34; %TNa+120 = 79.49 ±0.87) and potassium (%TK+control = 72.29 ±1.12; %TK+60 = 75.41 ±0.65; %TK+90 = 71.23 ±2.55; %TK+120 = 76.62 ±1.04) tubular transport. The administration of the antivenom (1 µg/mL) incubated with venom (1 µg/mL) reduced the changes in PP, RVR, UF and GFR provoked by Thalassophryne nattereri venom. The group perfused with venom alone showed a moderate deposit of a proteinaceous material in the tubules and urinary space. The group perfused with the antivenom presented similar results to the control group. In conclusion, the antivenom was able to decrease the effects induced by T. nattereri venom in isolated rat kidney.
Highlights
Thalassophryne nattereri, known as niquim, is a venomous fish responsible for several accidents among fishermen in northern and northeastern Brazil (1-3)
We have recently shown that this venom is capable of modifying renal physiology, interfering especially on vascular parameters of isolated rat kidney
These alterations were probably due to myotoxic agents or to a direct effect of the venom on renal cells causing the release of vasoactive factors (8). It was demonstrated through in vitro neutralization assays that antivenom administered to rabbits can completely neutralize the necrotic and nociceptive effects induced by T. nattereri venom, justifying the use of serum therapy as an efficient treatment for this type of envenomation (11,18)
Summary
Thalassophryne nattereri, known as niquim, is a venomous fish responsible for several accidents among fishermen in northern and northeastern Brazil (1-3). Local acute inflammatory response induced by the venom was registered (9). A cytotoxic effect of the venom on mononuclear cells was recorded. T. nattereri venom content stimulates an association of cytokines of both Th1 and Th2 profile, with a notable IL-5 production and secretion of specific IgG1 and total IgE isotypes, which may affect B cells and induce a memory antibody response by the secretion of protective IgG subclasses (10). It was demonstrated that harmful effects of T. nattereri envenomation on mice could be prevented by previous long-lasting immunization (12). Since systemic antibody levels could be induced by this venom and protect mice against venom deleterious properties, we tested the capacity of antibodies present in horse serum to neutralizing or reducing renal effects induced by the fish venom
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