Release of creatine kinase from skeletal muscles by Bothrops venoms: heparin potentiation of inhibition by antivenin.

The glycosaminoglycan, heparin (50 micrograms/ml) inhibited the increase in creatine kinase (CK) released from rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles exposed to Bothrops jararaca venom (150 micrograms/ml). Heparin (2 micrograms/ml) and polyvalent antivenin (0.5 microliter/ml) did not affect the increase in CK release induced by exposure of the muscles to 50 micrograms/ml B. jararacussu venom. Simultaneous exposure of the muscles to venom plus heparin (2 micrograms/ml) plus antivenin (0.5 or 1 microliter/ml) reduced CK release after 160 min by 50% and 80% compared to that induced by venom alone. These changes in CK release from rat EDL muscle show that heparin inhibits the myotoxic effects of Bothrops venoms and increases the potency of their antivenin.