Myotoxic components of snake venoms: Their biochemical and biological activities

Neutralization of edema, hemorrhage and myonecrosis induced by North American crotalid venoms in simulated first-aid treatments

“…Crotalid envenomation is local tissue damage, possibly to the point of complete dysfunction (Mebs and Ownby, 1990;Lomonte, 1994;Warrell, 1996). The primary signs of Elapid envenomation are neurotoxic in nature (Gomez and Dart, 1995).…”

“…In North America, in addition to the systemic effects, the most common sequelae of local tissue damag.e caused by envenomation by Crotalid species are edema, hemorrhage and myonecros'is (Mebs and Ownby, 1990;Rucavado and Lomonte, 1996;Gutierrez et al, 1996). Edema jls thought to be associated with endothelial damage, with subsequent increases in vascular permeability leading to loss of plasma fluid into the affected region producing swelling (Wingert, 1991;L10ret and Moreno, 1993).…”

“…Myonecrosis is the result of venom toxins directly disrupting the pl1asma membranes of the muscle cells (Ownby, 1990;Mebs and Ownby, 1990;Tu, 1991;Lomonte, 1994). Myonecrosis can also occur indirectly via ischemia of the muscle mass produced by the disruption of blood flow to the region Ownby, 1990;Harris and Cullen, 1990).…”

“…Myonecrosis, and other types of local tissue damage, is characterlstic of envenomation from snakes of the Crotalidae family (Ownby, 1990;Mebs and Ownby, 1990). Only a few Crotahd venoms are known to contain neurotoxins, such as crotoxin and crotoxin-like toxins (Mebs and Ownby, 1990;Lamonte, 1994).…”

“…Only a few Crotahd venoms are known to contain neurotoxins, such as crotoxin and crotoxin-like toxins (Mebs and Ownby, 1990;Lamonte, 1994). All crotalid venoms examined contain myotoxins.…”