ABSTRACT
We determined the ability of a mixture of gangliosides (16 percent) GDlb, 19 percent GT1b, 21 percent GM1, 40 percent GD1a) to neutralize the effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt) venom in vitro and in vivo. Protection was indicated by the absence of muscular contractions, hind limb paralysis or death of BLB/c mice (16-18g) after receiving Cdt venom (1µgCdt venom containing 0.6 µg protein) at the doses indicated. A dose of Cdt venom above 0.9µg (ip) or 1 µg (im) induced muscular contraction and above 1.2 µg (ip) or 5.5 µg (im) the venom induced muscular contraction and hind limb paralysis. Cdt venom BOVE 2.5 µG (IP) OR 9 µg (im) induced all these symptoms and 95 to 100 percent death in experimental animals. The lethal dose 50 percent of the Cdt venom used was 8µ (im) and 1.5 µg (ip). In vitro studies, 4 mg gangliosides neutralized the effect of up to 1.5 µg Cdt venom. Quantities as low as 0.2 mg gangliosides were capable neutralizing 0.9 µg of Cdt venom in vitro. Intramuscular treatment with 1 mg gangliosides performed 60 min after the intramuscular injection of 5 µg Cdt venom protected 100 percent of the animals. In contrast, no protection was achieved with intraperitoneal treatment with gangliosides. The data show that gangliosides were effective in neutralizing the toxic effect induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus venom both in vitro and in vivo and that post-exposure intramuscular treatment with gangliosides could protect animals experimentally inoculated with the venom