Publications by authors named "Rita Paula"

Phospholipases A (PLAs) are highly prevalent in Bothrops snake venom and play a crucial role in inflammatory responses and immune cell activation during envenomation. Despite their significance, the specific role of PLAs from Bothrops mattogrossensis venom (BmV) in inflammation is not fully understood. This study sought to isolate and characterize a novel acidic PLA from BmV, designated BmPLA-A, and to evaluate its effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), with a specific focus on cytotoxicity, adhesion, and detachment.

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Snake bites are a severe problem in the countryside of Brazil and are usually attributed to snakes of the genera Bothrops, Crotalus, and Lachesis. Snake venom can release ectoenzymes and nucleotidases that modulate the purinergic system. In addition to serum therapy against snake poisoning, medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory activities, such as Tabebuia aurea, is empirically applied in accidents that occur in difficult-to-access areas.

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Trypanosomatids have achieved significant evolutionary success in parasitizing various groups, yet reptiles remain relatively unexplored. The utilization of advanced molecular tools has revealed an increased richness of trypanosomatids in vertebrate hosts. The aim of this study was to identify the trypanosomatid species infecting Bothrops moojeni and Crotalus durissus kept in captivity from 2000 to 2022.

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Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk (ASCVD) is an ongoing epidemic, and lipid abnormalities are its primordial cause. Most individuals suffering a first ASCVD event are previously asymptomatic and often do not receive preventative therapies. The cornerstone of primary prevention has been the identification of individuals at risk through risk calculators based on clinical and laboratory traditional risk factors plus risk enhancers.

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Nature presents a wide range of biomolecules with pharmacological potential, including venomous animal proteins. Among the protein components from snake venoms, phospholipases (PLA) are of great importance for the development of new anticancer compounds. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the PLA anticancer properties from venom.

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