Distinct cardiotoxic effects by venoms of a spitting cobra (Naja pallida) and a rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) revealed using an ex vivo Langendorff heart model

Toxicon. 2024 Feb 6;240:107637. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107637. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHere we describe the acute myocardial effects of an elapid (red spitting cobra, Naja pallida) and a viper (western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox) venom using an ex vivo heart model. Our results reveal two different pathophysiological trajectories that influence heart function and morphology. While cobra venom causes a drop in contractile force, rattlesnake venom causes enhanced contractility and frequency that coincides with differences in myocellular morphology. This highlights the medical complexity of snake venom-induced cardiotoxicity.PMID:38331109 | DOI:10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107637

Source: Toxicon - February 8, 2024 Category: Toxicology Authors: Ronald Vlasblom Jory van Thiel M átyás A Bittenbinder Jon-Ruben van Rhijn Rinske Drost Lotte Muis Julien Slagboom Daniela Salvatori Jeroen Kool Robert Jan Veldman Source Type: research