Thrombocytopenia and platelet hypoaggregation induced by Bothrops asper snake venom. Toxins involved and their contribution to metalloproteinase-induced pulmonary hemorrhage
Research article published in Thrombosis and haemostasis (2005)
Abstract
Thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction occur in patients bitten by Bothrops sp snakes in Latin America. An experimental model was developed in mice to study the effects of B. asper venom in platelet numbers and function. Intravenous administration of this venom induces rapid and prominent thrombocytopenia and ex vivo platelet hypoaggregation. The drop in platelet numbers was primarily due to aspercetin, a protein of the C-type lectin family which induces von Willebrand factor-mediated platelet aggregation/agglutination. In addition, the effect of class P-III hemorrhagic metalloproteinases on the microvessel wall also contributes to thrombocytopenia since jararhagin, a P-III metalloproteinase, reduced platelet counts. Hypoaggregation was associated with the action of procoagulant and defibrin(ogen)ating proteinases jararacussin-I (a thrombin-like serine proteinase) and basparin A (a prothrombin activating metalloproteinase). At the doses which induced hypoaggregation, these enzymes caused defibrin(ogen)ation, increments in fibrin(ogen) degradation products and D-dimer and prolongation of the bleeding time. Incubation of B. asper venom with batimastat and alpha2-macroglobulin abrogated the hypoaggregating activity, confirming the role of venom proteinases in this effect. Neither aspercetin nor the defibrin(ogen)ating and hypoaggregating components induced hemorrhage upon intravenous injection. However, aspercetin, but not the thrombin-like or the prothrombin-activating proteinases, potentiated the hemorrhagic activity of two hemorrhagic metalloproteinases in the lungs.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Thrombocytopenia and platelet hypoaggregation induced by Bothrops asper snake venom. Toxins involved and their contribution to metalloproteinase-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio examinó los mecanismos específicos por los cuales el veneno de la serpiente Bothrops asper induce trombocitopenia e hipoagregación plaquetaria utilizando un modelo experimental murino. El resumen identifica toxinas específicas del veneno, incluidas lectinas tipo C y metaloproteinasas hemorrágicas de clase P-III, que en conjunto contribuyen a caídas rápidas de plaquetas, defibrinación y potenciación de la hemorragia pulmonar. Si bien la investigación aporta conocimientos detallados sobre la desregulación hemostática inducida por el veneno y la actividad de las metaloproteinasas, se trata fundamentalmente de un estudio de patología por veneno de serpiente. No contiene datos relativos a sanguijuelas y carece de relevancia para el uso terapéutico del secretoma de la sanguijuela en la hirudoterapia.
Citación
Thrombocytopenia and platelet hypoaggregation induced by Bothrops asper snake venom. Toxins involved and their contribution to metalloproteinase-induced pulmonary hemorrhage
Rucavado A et al. · Thrombosis and haemostasis, 2005
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026