In vivo effects of Agkistrodon rhodostoma venom: studies with fibrinogen-131I.

In vivo effects of Agkistrodon rhodostoma venom: studies with fibrinogen-131I.

Structural studies of a major hemorrhagin (rhodostoxin) from the venom of Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper).

The complete amino acid sequence, disulfide linkages, glycosylation sites, and carbohydrate structure of rhodostoxin, the major hemorrhagin from Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper), have been determined. This sequence confirmed the deduced amino acid sequence of the putative hemorrhagic protein encoded by the prorhodostomin cDNA of C. Rhodostoma. Rhodostoxin contained four disulfide bon...

Inhibition of the Generalized Shwartzman Reaction

The effect of hypofibrinogenemia on production of the generalized Shwartzman reaction (GSR) by the administration of Thorotrast (3 mI/kg) and Escherichia coil endotoxin (50 jzg) to rabbits was determined. Severe hypofibrinogenemia (fibrinogen less than 15 mg/ 100 ml) was produced by Arvin, a proteolytic coagulant from the venom of the Malayan pit viper, Agkistrodon rhodostoma. Development of th...

Distribution of 131I-labeled Bothrops erythromelas venom in mice.

Bothrops erythromelas is responsible for many snake bites in northeastern Brazil. In the present study we determined the in vivo distribution of the venom following its subcutaneous injection into mice. B. erythromelas venom and albumin were labeled individually with 131I by the chloramine T method, and separated in a Sephacryl S-200 column. The efficiency of labeling was 68%. Male Swiss mice (...

Synergistic Effects of Secretory Phospholipase A2 from the Venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus with Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agents

Healthy cells typically resist hydrolysis catalyzed by snake venom secretory phospholipase A2. However, during various forms of programmed cell death, they become vulnerable to attack by the enzyme. This observation raises the question of whether the specificity of the enzyme for dying cells could be used as a strategy to eliminate tumor cells that have been intoxicated but not directly killed ...