Paradoxical Exception to Island Tameness: Increased Defensiveness in an Insular Population of Rattlesnakes.

Island tameness results largely from a lack of natural predators. Because some insular rattlesnake populations lack functional rattles, presumably the consequence of relaxed selection from reduced predation, we hypothesized that the Santa Catalina Island, California, USA, population of the southern Pacific rattlesnake (, which possesses a functional rattle), would exhibit a decrement in defensive behavior relative to their mainland counterparts. Contrary to our prediction, rattlesnakes from the island not only lacked tameness compared to mainland snakes, but instead exhibited measurably greater levels of defensiveness.

Proteomic analysis reveals rattlesnake venom modulation of proteins associated with cardiac tissue damage in mouse hearts.

Snake envenomation is a common but neglected disease that affects millions of people around the world annually. Among venomous snake species in Brazil, the tropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) accounts for the highest number of fatal envenomations and is responsible for the second highest number of bites. Snake venoms are complex secretions which, upon injection, trigger diverse physiological effects that can cause significant injury or death.

Comparative analysis of the high molecular mass subproteomes of eight Bothrops snake venoms.

Snake venoms are extremely active biological secretions composed primarily of various classes of enzymes. The genus Bothrops comprises various pit viper species that represent the most medically significant taxa in Central and South America, accounting for more human envenomations and fatalities than any other snakes in the region. Venom proteomes of many Bothrops species have been well-characterized but investigations have focused almost exclusively on proteins smaller than 100 kDa despite expression of larger components being documented in several Bothrops venoms.

Crotalus atrox disintegrin reduces hemorrhagic transformation by attenuating matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity after middle cerebral artery occlusion in hyperglycemic male rats.

Hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke is an independent predictor for poor outcome and is characterized by blood vessel rupture leading to brain edema. To date, no therapies for preventing hemorrhagic transformation exist. Disintegrins from the venom of Crotalus atrox have targets within the coagulation cascade, including receptors on platelets.

Crotalus helleri venom preconditioning reduces postoperative cerebral edema and improves neurological outcomes after surgical brain injury.

Introduction: Postoperative cerebral edema is a devastating complication in neurosurgical patients. Loss of blood-brain barrier integrity has been shown to lead to the development of brain edema following neurosurgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate preconditioning with Crotalus helleri venom (Cv-PC) as a potential preventive therapy for reducing postoperative brain edema in the rodent SBI model.