NO production and potassium channels activation induced by Crotalus durissus cascavella underlie mesenteric artery relaxation

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) 2017-07, Vol.133, p.10-17
• Main Authors: Santos, S.S., Jesus, R.L.C., Simões, L.O., Vasconcelos, W.P., Medeiros, I.A., Veras, R.C., Casais-E-Silva, L.L., Silva, D.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta - drug effects; Crotalid Venoms - pharmacology; Crotalus; Crotalus durissus cascavella; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium-dependent; Male; Mesenteric Arteries - drug effects; Mesenteric Arteries - physiology; Mesenteric artery; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Phenylephrine - administration & dosage; Phenylephrine - pharmacology; Potassium channels; Potassium Channels - drug effects; Potassium Channels - physiology; Rats, Wistar; Soluble guanyly cyclase; Vasodilation - drug effects
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.04.010

Animal toxins are natural resources for pharmacological studies. The venom of Crotalus durissus cascavella (C.d. cascavella) may be a source in the bio-prospecting of new anti-hypertensive agents. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular effects of the venom of C.d. cascavella in normotensive rats. Studies were performed using isolated mesenteric artery segments and aortic endothelial cells. The cumulative administration of the venom of C.d. cascavella (0.001–30 μg/mL) on phenylephrine (Phe; 10 μM) pre-contracted rings induced a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in the presence of vascular endothelium (Emax = 47.9 ± 5.0% n = 8), and its effect was almost abolished in the absence of endothelium (Emax = 5.8± 2.4% n = 5 (∗∗∗p