Prospective study of a Bothrops jararacussu venom batch (Bj2015) - phospholipase A(2) activity, immunogenicity, neurotoxicity, and myotoxicity parameters

Bothrops jararacussu venom's (Bj2015) batch was biomonitored quarterly for one year to assess phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activity, immunogenicity, neurotoxicity, and myotoxicity. In silico models were applied to evaluate losses using decay model and recoveries by predictive trend analysis. Mice were immunized with Bj2015. Antibodies were detected by double-immunodiffusion and total protein and albumin were measured. Neuromuscular blockade-induced by 40 mu g mL(-1) venom solution was carried out using mouse nerve phrenic-diaphragm preparation. Resulting muscles were submitted to light microscopy to evaluate the myotoxicity. PLA(2) activity of 0.1 mg mL(-1) Bj2015 was measured using 4-nitro-3-(octanoyloxy)benzoic acid as substrate. Over time, greater losses occurred in neurotoxicity than PLA(2), but not in myotoxicity and immunogenicity. Concluding, the neurotoxicity decrease can be related to enzymatic losses, including PLA(2). Depending on the purpose of use, the collected venom responds on a long time, avoiding unnecessary new collections, improving life quality of animals in captivity and increasing their longevity. {[}GRAPHICS] . (AU)