Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: ALEX AUGUSTO FERREIRA E FERREIRA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : ALEX AUGUSTO FERREIRA E FERREIRA
DATE: 14/10/2024
TIME: 08:00
LOCAL: Sala Virtual Remota (Microsoft TEAMS) https://bit.ly/QualifDoc_AlexFerreira_PGBIOEXP
TITLE:

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KEY WORDS:

Snakebite Envenomation; Photobiomodulation; LED; Antivenom
Therapy; BjussuMP-II; Treatment.

PAGES: 137
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Biologia Geral
SUMMARY:

Snakebite envenomation, caused by the accidental injection of venom from
venomous snakes into humans, is a serious public health issue, especially in tropical
regions of developing countries. Each year, 5.4 million people suffer snakebites,
resulting in 1.8 to 2.7 million envenomations. In Brazil, between 2010 and 2023,
343,403 cases were reported, with the Northern region leading in notifications
(124,055 cases). Among the four genera of venomous snakes in Brazil, the Bothrops
genus is of significant medical interest, accounting for approximately 86% of
snakebites. Within this genus, Bothrops jararacussu ranks among the species that
cause the most incidents and inject the largest amounts of venom, leading to severe
damage. Although antivenom is effective against systemic effects, it has limited
efficacy against local damage. Given this context, the aim of this study was to
evaluate the dynamics of the inflammatory and hemorrhagic processes following
experimental envenomation with the P-I metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops
jararacussu venom, named BjussuMP-II. To this end, the experimental
envenomation was conducted in the gastrocnemius muscles of male Swiss mice,
weighing between 18 and 22 grams (divided into groups of 5 animals), through
intramuscular injection of 50 μL of PBS or 50 μg of BjussuMP-II. After 30 minutes,
treatments with antivenom, LED, or a combination of antivenom and LED were
administered. Three hours later, blood and muscle samples were collected for
myotoxicity assays, histological sections, RT-qPCR to evaluate microRNA-223 gene
expression, and immunoenzymatic assays for IL-1β detection. Other groups of
animals were used to evaluate rolling and adhesion in the vascular endothelium via
intravital microscopy and to analyze the hemorrhagic process by inducing a halo on
the dorsal skin. The results reaffirmed that antivenom therapy alone is not effective
in treating the local damage caused by snakebites. In contrast, photobiomodulation
with LED, whether alone or in combination with antivenom, was shown to reduce
myotoxicity, tissue damage, leukocyte influx, the number of rolling or adherent
leukocytes in the vessels of inoculated muscles, as well as hemorrhage on the dorsal
skin. When applied alone, LED was able to reduce microRNA-223 gene expression;
however, none of the treatments were effective in reducing IL-1β levels in vivo. It
was concluded, therefore, that LED treatment, when applied alone, reduces
myotoxicity, hemorrhage, tissue damage, and leukocyte influx into the tissues, while
also demonstrating potential for reducing microRNA-223 in vivo. Furthermore, the
combination of antivenom and LED proved to be equally effective.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externa à Instituição - JACQUELINE DE ALMEIDA GONÇALVES SACHETT - UEA
Externo à Instituição - RODRIGO LABAT MARCOS - UNINOVE
Presidente - ***.335.462-** - SORAYA DOS SANTOS PEREIRA - UNIR