Use of EDTA in the treatment of local tissue damage caused by the Bothrops alternatus venom

Twelve adult rabbits were distributed in three groups and received on the femoral biceps region, via intradermal injection (ID), 25 mu g of Bothrops alternatus venom dissolved in NaCl 0.9% and diluted in 0.25mL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Thirty minutes later, the group G1 received 0.25mL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) ID while to G2 and G3 25mg of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) dissolved in 0.25mL of PBS were administered via intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) injection, respectively. Evaluations included local lesion and blood profile of all animals, before (time zero) and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 18 and 24h after venom administration. All animal treated with PBS (G1) and EDTA IV (G3) presented increase of nociceptive stimuli at the site of inoculation of the venom, followed by moderate edema that persisted for 24h. Animals treated with IM EDTA (G2) only manifested increase of nociceptive stimuli at the site of injection 1h after treatment with discrete local edema between 12 and 24h. In relation to the local hemorrhagic halo no differences were found amongst the studied groups. Blood profile revealed significant decrease of segmented neutrophils in all groups. There was also increase in triglycerides and decrease in total protein and albumin in all groups. The local lesion was not altered by the treatments.