ABSTRACT
The changes in the dielectric properties of a saline solution of Cerastes cerastes snake venom after irradiation with low-level doses of fast neutrons from a Cf-252 source, were investigated. The pathological changes in the internal organs such as liver, kidney spleen, lung and heart of the rats injected with unirradiated and irradiated venom were also studied. The changes in the molecular structure of a diluted saline solution of snake venom were measured through dielectric relaxation studies in the frequency range 0.1-10 MHz at 4 +/- 0.5 degrees C. The absorption spectra of the venom solution were measured in the wavelength range 200 to 600 nm. The results indicated remarkable changes in the molecular radii, shape, relaxation time and dielectric increment of the venom molecules as a result of irradiation. Also, the intensities of the absorption bands of the venom solution decreased as a result of the irradiation process. Furthermore, the pathological examination results indicated that the toxicity of the irradiated venom decreased as compared with that of unirradiated venom, hence increasing the chance of repair of the affected organs.
Subject(s)
Snake Venoms/radiation effects , Snake Venoms/toxicity , Animals , Electric Conductivity , Female , Heart/drug effects , Kidney/drug effects , Kidney/pathology , Lethal Dose 50 , Liver/drug effects , Liver/pathology , Lung/drug effects , Lung/pathology , Male , Models, Statistical , Molecular Structure , Myocardium/pathology , Neutrons , Radiation, Ionizing , Rats , Snake Venoms/chemistry , Snake Venoms/pharmacokinetics , Spleen/drug effects , Spleen/pathology , ViscosityABSTRACT
Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (CDT venom) was irradiated with four different doses of gamma rays (2, 3, 5 and 10 kGy) from a 60Co source and their structural, toxic and immunogenic properties were analysed. Venom irradiated with 2 and 3 kGy were, respectively, 2.7 and 13.5 times less toxic than the native one, whereas the 5 or 10 kGy irradiated venom were at least 100 times less toxic than nonirradiated venom. Irradiated venom with all doses were immunogenic and the antibodies elicited by them were able to recognise the native venom in ELISA. However the toxoid produced with 2 kGy irradiation dose had its immunogenicity improved. Antisera raised against this toxoid had a higher neutralising capacity than those produced against the native venom. Irradiation of venom with 2 kGy dose was the most effective to inactivate the CDT venom toxicity and improve its immunogenicity.
Subject(s)
Crotalus/physiology , Gamma Rays , Immune Sera/radiation effects , Immunization, Passive/methods , Snake Venoms/radiation effects , Snake Venoms/toxicity , Animals , Blotting, Western , Chromatography, Gel , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Neutralization Tests , Rabbits , Snake Venoms/immunology , Survival RateABSTRACT
The effect of irradiation of the aqueous solution of L. m. muta venom was evaluated with thermic neutrons from Uranium-235 employing doses of 1.61 to 5.19 Gray. The venom was examined for protein content by the Folin Lowry Method modified by Stauffer; for acute toxicity by intraperitoneal route estimation in mice and for immunochemical tests by the antigen-antibody reactions evaluation. Neutronic radiation affects all evaluated parameters in venom (decrease in protein content levels, increase of LD50 values and decrease in the number of precipitating antigen-antibody) as shown by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Snake Venoms/radiation effects , Uranium , Viperidae , Radiation Dosage , Immunodiffusion , Immunoelectrophoresis , Lethal Dose 50 , Proteins/radiation effects , Proteins/chemistry , Snake Venoms/chemistryABSTRACT
The effect of irradiation of the aqueous solution of L. m. muta venom was evaluated with thermic neutrons from Uranium-235 employing doses of 1.61 to 5.19 Gray. The venom was examined for protein content by the Folin Lowry Method modified by Stauffer; for acute toxicity by intraperitoneal route estimation in mice and for immunochemical tests by the antigen-antibody reactions evaluation. Neutronic radiation affects all evaluated parameters in venom (decrease in protein content levels, increase of LD50 values and decrease in the number of precipitating antigen-antibody) as shown by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis.
