Ruthenium Antivenom Inhibits the Defibrinogenating Activity of Venom in Rabbits

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Jun 27

PMID 38928044

Authors

Vance G Nielsen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake () envenomation is a medical emergency encountered in the Southeastern United States. The venom contains a snake venom thrombin-like enzyme (SVTLE) that is defibrinogenating, causing coagulopathy without effects on platelets in humans. This investigation utilized thrombelastographic methods to document this coagulopathy kinetically on the molecular level in a rabbit model of envenomation via the analyses of whole blood samples without and with platelet inhibition. Subsequently, the administration of a novel ruthenium compound containing site-directed antivenom abrogated the coagulopathic effects of envenomation in whole blood without platelet inhibition and significantly diminished loss of coagulation in platelet-inhibited samples. This investigation provides coagulation kinetic insights into the molecular interactions and results of SVTLE on fibrinogen-dependent coagulation and confirmation of the efficacy of a ruthenium antivenom. These results serve as a rationale to investigate the coagulopathic effects of other venoms with this model and assess the efficacy of this site-directed antivenom.

Citing Articles

Rattlesnake Roundup: Point-of-Care Thrombelastographic Methods Define the Molecular Impacts on Coagulation of Venom Toxins In Vitro and In Vivo.

Nielsen V Toxins (Basel). 2025; 17(2).

PMID: 39998104 PMC: 11860698. DOI: 10.3390/toxins17020087.

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