Characterization of local tissue damage evoked by Bothrops jararaca venom in the rat connective tissue microcirculation: an intravital microscopic study

The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic of the effects after t opical application of Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV) on the microcirculation of the internal spermatic fascia of Wistar rats. The administration of 1 m u g of BjV induced marked disturbances in capillaries and postcapillary ven ules, characterized by vasodilatation, fibrin clot formation, hemorrhagic l esions and alterations in the leukocyte-endothelial interactions. The insta llation and development of these effects occurred simultaneously. The appli cation of higher dose of venom (10 mu g) induced more intense effects, obse rved by the time-course of the beginning, evolution and intensity of the ef fects. The time-course of events suggests that an interaction of different effects occurs during the development of local symptoms following the expos ure of tissues to BjV. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.