Effect of photobiomodulation on local effect caused by Bothrops alternatus snake venom in its juvenile and adult stages of development

Abstract

The majority of snake envenoming in Latin America are caused by species of the genus Bothrops. The venom of these snakes has proteins that degrade the extracellular matrix and interfere with the coagulation cascade, hemostatic system and tissue repair. The specific treatment of Botropic is antivenom, however its efficacy is limited and its availability in health centers is reduced. The recommended treatment with antifidic serum, whether administered late or not, leads to severe local effects with permanent tissue damage and even amputation. Due to the severity of the local effect and the lack of protection from the antiophidic serum, alternative and/or complementary treatments are sought to reduce local myotoxicity. Studies show that photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a promising tool for the treatment of this envenoming, by reducing the local effects related to myotoxicity. Thus, the objective of this work is to increase the knowledge of PBM on the local effect after Bothrops alternatus snake venom action, in its juvenile and adult stages. For this purpose, the effect of PBM in vivo will be evaluated on cell migration, muscle edema, myonecrosis and hyperalgesia and in vitro the myotoxicity, proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. This study will allow us to better understand the beneficial effects of PBM, as well as whether there is a difference in local effect caused by juvenile and adult stages, and eventually favor more efficient and/or complementary therapeutic and serotherapeutic measures. (AU)