Current therapy for snake bite requires treatment with antibodies to components of the snake venom in a hospital setting. The challenge for the physician is that the species of snake is often not known and the antibody therapy works best when matched to the species of snake bite. Delays in treatment can enhance the tissue damage cause by the bite which is not reversible. Metal chelating agents have been reported to inhibit proteolytic components of snake venom. Using Remazol Blue Hide powder as substrate we will show inhibition of proteolytic activity of Crotolus atrox venom (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake) with a variety of metal chelating agents. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a metal chelator used for lead and other metal poisoning with a dose of 3 g/day dosed intravenously deemed safe. Triethylenetetramine (TETA) is another metal chelator that replaced the previous treatment in Wilson’s disease where copper accumulates in the human body to toxic levels, safe dosing not exceeding 2 g/day. EDTA and TETA showed inhibition of snake venom proteolysis and are a potential treatment to block the irreversible tissue damage caused by rattlesnake bite. Other chelating agents will be tested for inhibitory activity and results will be compared to the previously attained data.

Metal chelate inhibitors of rattle snake venom

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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