Se investigaron los efectos hemodinámicos del azul de metileno (AM) antes de administrar una dosis única (1,5 mg/kg, IV) de veneno total (VT) de Crotalus durissus cumanensis. Doce ratas machos adultas fueron subdivididas en dos grupos: grupo I, 6 ratas tratadas con VT y grupo II, 6 ratas tratadas con solución AM al 2% (dosis única: 2 mg/kg, IV), 40 min después, se administró VT, como en el grupo I. Previamente, cada rata fue anestesiada con una mezcla de azaperona:ketamina. Se canuló la arteria y vena femoral para el registro de presión arterial directa y administración de soluciones, respectivamente. La frecuencia cardiaca (FC) se estimó usando registros electrocardiográficos. Se midió presión arterial media (PAM) y FC antes y después de administrar las soluciones (5; 10; 20 y 30 minutos post-administración). El efecto del VT y del VT+AM sobre las variables, se analizó por ANOVA para muestras seriadas en el tiempo. Los resultados demuestran caída de PAM (87,0 ± 8,4 a 31,8 ± 3,6 mmHg) y FC (260,0 ± 12,7 a 170,0 ± 10,0 lat/min) en grupo I, a 5 min de la administración del VT. Los valores descendieron durante 10 min, hasta la muerte de los animales. El grupo II no mostró cambios significativos (P>0,05) en PAM y FC post-AM durante 40 min. Seguidamente se inyectó VT y la PAM cayó de 73,0 ± 6,6 a 27,0 ± 2,8 mmHg y FC de 360,0 ± 9,9 a 180,0 ± 9,0 l/min, similar (P>0,05) al grupo I. Transcurridos 10 min, hubo recuperación de variables, alcanzando a los 30 min valores de 72,6 ± 7,9 mmHg y 360 ± 11 lat/min, respectivamente, con sobrevivencia del 100% a las 24h. Considerando que AM inhibe la guanilato ciclasa soluble, el blanco celular del oxido nítrico (ON), VT pudiera activar al ON, siendo éste parcialmente responsable de los cambios hemodinámicos observados. Azul de metileno podría representar una potencial herramienta terapéutica útil en el shock circulatorio inducido por una dosis letal de VT. The effects of pre treatment with methylene blue (MB) on the cardiovascular effect caused by the administration of total venom (TV) of Crotalus durissus cumanensis was studied in adult rats, allocated into two groups: group I, six rats treated with TV (single dose: 1.5 mg/kg, IV) and group II, six rats treated with a 2% solution of methylene blue (single dose: 2 mg/kg, IV) and forty min later, TV was injected as in group I. Before the onset of the experiments, each rat was anesthetized with azaperone: ketamine. The femoral artery and vein were cannulated to record blood pressure (mean arterial pressure: MAP) and to infuse solutions, respectively. Heart rate (HR) was estimated by electrocardiography. MAP and HR were measured before and after the treatments (5, 10, 20 and 30 min). Differences between treatments were estimated by repeated measures ANOVA. A sudden (5min) reduction in MAP (from 87.0 ± 8.4 to 31.8 ± 3.6mmHg) and HR (from 260.0 ± 12.7 to 170.0 ± 10.0 lat/min) was observed in group I. This reduction was steadily during the first 10 min, followed by death in all treated rats. Rats in group II did not exhibit significant (P>0.05) changes in MAP and HR after the administration of methylene blue. Forty min later, TV was injected causing a reduction in MAP (73.0 ± 6.6 to 27.0 ± 2.8mmHg) and HR (360.0 ± 9.9 to 180.0 ± 9.0 l/min). After 10 min, the MAP and HR returned to baseline levels, reaching 72.6 ± 7.9 mmHg and 360.0 ± 11.0 lat/min, respectively, with a 100% survival at 24h. Methylene blue inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase, the cellular target of nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, the possibility exists that this venom might activate the production and release of NO, contributing to the observed hypotension and bradycardia. Since MB restored these haemodynamic variables and avoided the venom-evoked death at 24 hours, it might be a potential useful therapeutic tool to control the shock caused by this total venom. 347-352 edelcbf@hotmail.com Bimestral