Acute Effects of the Iranian Snake (Naja Naja Oxiana) Venom on Heart

Abstract

The myocardial effect of snake venoms is considered as one of the most common pathogenesis in many cases of snake envenomation. This study was under taken to investigate the effects of snake (Naja naja oxiana) venom on cardiac function in experimental animals. The blood samples from all the rabbits were collected before venom injection and then 140 µg/kg venom of snake (Naja naja oxiana) was injected intramuscularly to the rabbits. Following venom injection the blood was collected again at 1, 3 and 24 hrs. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded during the experiment. The serum enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were determined. Statistical analyses were carried out by SPSS version 21 software. CPK enzyme showed a significant increase at 1 and 3 hours after venom injection. The level of CK-MB rose significantly after 1hour following venom injection too. However, even at 24 hours the level of CPK was not changed significantly and the rise in CK-MB at 3 and 24 hrs following venom injection was not significant statistically. Although there was a rise in LDH level following venom injection but it was not significant. The ECG also confirmed changes of heart rhythmic and showed bradycardia and T tall. Based on the results obtained in the present study, it seems that the Naja naja oxiana venom has acute effect on cardiac system during first few hours of snake bite.