Publications by authors named "Luciana Lyra Casais-e-Silva"

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of intramuscular ozone therapy on nociception, inflammation, and tissue damage caused by the injection of carrageenan in the masseter muscle of rats.

Design: Rat masseter muscles were injected with saline or carrageenan. Seventy-seven adult male rats were divided into six groups: Sal, saline; Car, carrageenan; Ibup + Sal, ibuprofen and saline; Ibup + Car, ibuprofen and carrageenan; O3 + Sal, ozone and saline; and O3 + Car, ozone and carrageenan.

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  • - This study investigates the nephrotoxicity of Bothrops leucurus venom, a major cause of kidney injury from snakebites, by examining its effects on renal function and structure in Wistar rats injected with the venom.
  • - Rats injected with B. leucurus venom showed a significant increase in kidney weight, creatinine levels, and a 37% decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) compared to control rats, indicating impaired kidney function.
  • - Histological analysis revealed extensive tubulointerstitial lesions and a higher number of macrophages in the kidneys of venom-injected rats, suggesting that B. leucurus venom causes serious kidney damage and inflammation.
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Bothrops leucurus is considered as a snake of medical interest in the State of Bahia, Brazil. However, so far, there are no studies that provide a refined mapping of the composition of this venom. The aim of this work was to better understand the protein composition of B.

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  • Humankind's fascination with venomous animals has made them symbolic of power and mystery, prompting researchers to study their toxic substances and effects.
  • Widow spiders, known for their neurotoxic venom, are widespread globally, yet knowledge about them is still limited, especially regarding the 14 species found in the Americas.
  • This review aims to provide comprehensive information on widow spiders from the Americas, covering taxonomy, distribution, symptoms of envenomation, and research challenges to enhance understanding of this medically important group.
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Bothrops leucurus is the major causative agent of snakebites in Brazil's Northeast. The systemic effects of its venom are effectively neutralized by antivenom therapy, preventing bitten patients' death. However, antivenom fails in neutralizing local effects that include intense pain, edema, bleeding, and myonecrosis.

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Phoneutria nigriventer venom (PNV) is a complex mixture of toxins exerting multiple pharmacological effects that ultimately result in severe local pain at the site of the bite. It has been proposed that the PNV-induced pain is mediated by both peripheral and central mechanisms. The nociception triggered by PNV is peripherally mediated by the activation of B, 5-HT, NMDA, AMPA, NK, and NK receptors, as well as TTXS-Na, ASIC, and TRPV1 channels.

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  • The study aimed to understand how Latrodectus curacaviensis venom (LCV) causes pain in mice, focusing on behavioral and local responses.
  • After injecting LCV, researchers assessed pain sensitivity, motor function, inflammation, and cytokine levels using various experimental methods.
  • The findings suggest that LCV activates pain pathways involving specific receptors and channels, leads to increased local inflammation, and primarily consists of high molecular weight proteins, enhancing our understanding of pain mechanisms from this venom in humans.
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Background/aims: Micrurus is one of the four snake genera of medical importance in Brazil. Coral snakes have a broad geographic distribution from the southern United States to Argentina. Micrurine envenomation is characterized by neurotoxic symptoms leading to dyspnea and death.

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Endocochlear, retrocochlear and/or central origin hearing damage may be related to the absence of appropriate levels of thyroid hormone during morphogenesis and/or auditory system development. Hearing disorders related to the thyroid are not well studied, despite speculation on the pathophysiological mechanisms. The objective of this review was to characterize the main pathophysiological mechanisms of congenital hypothyroidism and to evaluate the relationship with central and peripheral hearing disorders.

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  • - Bothrops leucurus venom leads to serious local effects like tissue death, pain, bleeding, and swelling due to toxins it carries, making treatment challenging.
  • - A study on rats showed that hypothyroid conditions significantly reduced tissue damage and swelling caused by the venom compared to normal and hyperthyroid states.
  • - The findings suggest that hypothyroidism may lessen the harmful local effects of this snake venom by influencing immune responses and blood circulation.
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The therapeutic potential of snake venoms for pain control has been previously demonstrated. In the present study, the antinociceptive effects of Micrurus lemniscatus venom (MlV) were investigated in experimental models of pain. The antinociceptive activity of MIV was evaluated using the writhing, formalin, and tail flick tests.

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The in vitro effects of myotoxin III (MT-III), an Asp-49 catalytically-active phospholipase A(2), and myotoxin II (MT-II), a catalytically-inactive Lys-49 variant, isolated from Bothrops asper snake venom, on phagocytosis and production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages were investigated. MT-II and MT-III were cytotoxic to mouse peritoneal macrophages at concentrations higher than 25 microg/ml. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, MT-II stimulated Fcgamma, complement, mannose and beta-glucan receptors-mediated phagocytosis, whereas MT-III stimulated only the mannose and beta-glucan receptors-mediated phagocytosis.

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