Effect of Walterinnesia aegyptia snake venom on the

Abstract

Male albino rats were prepared for intraperitoneal injection of saline and saline solution of Walterinnesia aegyptia venom at a dose of 0.04 mg/animal. Biopses from the subcapsular region of the renal cortex were processed for electron microscopy after 1 and 2 h (V 1 and V2 groups) to detect early (direct) changes induced by the venom, Delayed (indirect) changes were expected after 18 and 24 h (V3 and V4 groups). The VI group showed minimal ultrastructure changes in the form of increased tubular pits and vesiculation. Their microvilli were oedematous. In late envenomation (V2, 3 and 4 groups) more changes were depicted: increased tubular pits, marked vesiculation and vacuolation with microvillar atrophy. Slight epithelial separation occurred in the VI group while it was marked in other groups, which exhibited mitochondrial alterations in the form of swelling, increased matrix density and cristolysis. There was material of variable electron density in tubular cells. The effect of the venom on tubular cells varied from VI to other groups, while there were insignificant differences between V2, V3 and V 4 groups. It can be concluded that the venom has a direct cytotoxic effect on cellular components, while consequently caused the previously mentioned ultrastructural variations.