Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom regulates macrophage metabolism and function

In the present study, we examined the effect of Crotalus durissus terrificu s venom on rat macrophage metabolism and function. Two hours after subcutan eous injection of the venom, peritoneal resident (unstimulated), elicited ( thioglycollate-stimulated), and activated Mycobacterium bovis strain bacill e Calmette Guerin (BCG) macrophages were collected, and their functional an d metabolic parameters were analyzed. The venom inhibited spreading and pha gocytosis of macrophages. On the other hand, this treatment increased H2O2 and NO production, candidacidal activity, and the activities of key enzymes of glycolysis and glutaminolysis. We also investigated whether the venom c ould affect macrophage activation by thioglycollate or BCG. The administrat ion of venom 2 h before injection of thioglycollate and BCG or 2 or 3 days after injection of the thioglycollate or BCG, respectively, did not modify the previous observations. These findings suggest that crotalic venom leads the macrophage to an activated state, with high production of oxygen- and nitrogen-reactive species. This cell activation state does not include infl ammatory properties of spreading and phagocytosis.