Expressão de genes antioxidantes em testículos de ratos submetidos ao envenenamento experimental agudo por Lachesis muta muta (Surucucu Sul-Americana) em ratos tratados com n-acetilcisteína e antiveneno

Abstract

There is evidence in the literature that the snakebite can cause changes in spermatogenesis, increased testicular oxidative stress, testicular atrophy and endocrine changes. Despite this, there are no studies about reproductive consequences for men on envenomation by Lachesis. The treatment of envenomation is conditioned to serum therapy and there are few studies about the use of other therapeutic strategies. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant that could help reduce testicular oxidative stress, but it has not yet been tested for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of NAC, associated or not with anti-Bothrops/Lachesis serum, on the expression of antioxidant genes in the testicles of rats submitted to experimental envenomation by Lachesis muta muta (Surucucu Sul-Americana). Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6): V = venom; V + S = venom and serum; NAC = only NAC without venom; V+NAC = venom and NAC (V+NAC); and V+S+NAC = venom, NAC and antivenom serum. The venom was applied in a single dose of 1.5 mg/kg (intramuscular), the NAC was used in a dose of 150 mg/kg (intraperitoneal) and the antivenom serum in the ratio 1:3 (v/w) (intraperitoneal). Testicular gene expression was verified by RT-qPCR for the genes of antioxidant enzymes: glutone synthetase (Gss), catalase (Cat) and superoxide dismutase 2 (Sod2). V group had lower epididymal weight than groups V+S and V+NAC (P=0.0079). There was no significant difference in the relative gene expression of Gss and Sod2 in the testicles among the experimental groups. V+S, NAC and V+NAC groups showed higher relative gene expression of the Cat gene when compared to the V group (P=0.0114). It is concluded that NAC increases the gene expression of Cat in testicles of rats, as well as the antivenom, presenting an antioxidant potential for snakebite treatment.