Contribution of mast cells to the oedema induced by Bothrops moojeni snake venom and a pharmacological assessment of the inflammatory mediators involved.

The ability of Bothrops moojeni venom (BmV) to induce oedema in mice, the involvement of principal inflammatory mediators and mast cells (MCs) were investigated. The intraplantar injection of BmV (0.3-6 microg/paw) caused a dose- and time-dependent oedema with a peak between 30 and 60 min after venom injection (0.

Cystyl aminopeptidase activity in the plasma, viscera and brain of the snake Bothrops jararaca.

The relationship between plasma osmolality and cystyl aminopeptidase was characterized in the snake Bothrops jararaca and comparisons were made with the emerging picture of this relationship in rats. The profile of cystyl aminopeptidase activity under basal conditions was determined in the soluble and membrane-bound forms in visceral organs and in the central nervous system in comparison with that of alanyl aminopeptidase. The regional localization of cystyl and alanyl aminopeptidase activities was studied in the central nervous system.