Influence of hydrocortisone on the microscopic changes produced by Naja nigricollis venom in kidney, liver and spleen

Possible recovery from an acute envenomation in male rats with LD50 of Echis coloratus crude venom: I-A seven days hematological follow-up study

The effect of an acute LD50 dose of Echis coloratus crude venom in male albino rats was tested on blood parameters: white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), platelets count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), also serum glucose, total protein, triglycerides with alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme activities. The effect of the LD50 dose was monitored over a period of seven days, with time intervals of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 72 h. All of the tested parameters show fluctuations with time and with tendency to regain normal control level after 12 h. At 12-24 h it seems to be crucial for the process of physiological recovery, in spite of the irreversible damage and tissue distraction. The process of physiological adaptation and recovery from the lethal destructive venom effect seems to stabilize after one week, leaving the animal alive with several biochemical altered metabolisms and disturbed physiological profile.

The dielectric properties of neutron irradiated snake venom and its pathological impact

The changes in the dielectric properties of a saline solution of Cerastes cerastes snake venom after irradiation with low-level doses of fast neutrons from a Cf-252 source, were investigated. The pathological changes in the internal organs such as liver, kidney spleen, lung and heart of the rats injected with unirradiated and irradiated venom were also studied. The changes in the molecular structure of a diluted saline solution of snake venom were measured through dielectric relaxation studies in the frequency range 0.1-10 MHz at 4 +/- 0.5 degrees C. The absorption spectra of the venom solution were measured in the wavelength range 200 to 600 nm. The results indicated remarkable changes in the molecular radii, shape, relaxation time and dielectric increment of the venom molecules as a result of irradiation. Also, the intensities of the absorption bands of the venom solution decreased as a result of the irradiation process. Furthermore, the pathological examination results indicated that the toxicity of the irradiated venom decreased as compared with that of unirradiated venom, hence increasing the chance of repair of the affected organs.

Glucocorticoid amelioration of nephrotoxicity: a study of cephaloridine-methylprednisolone interaction in the rat

Groups of ten male rats were treated with a high challenge dose of cephaloridine (CPH, 3750 mg kg-1), with methylprednisolone (MP, 100 mg kg-1) or with cephaloridine and methylprednisolone (CPH + MP) by single subcutaneous injection. A control group received the injection vehicles only. Urine was collected from all animals daily over 18-h collection periods, up to 96 h after treatment. Blood was collected at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment. At necropsy, kidneys were weighed, processed and examined histopathologically. Results show that methylprednisolone significantly ameliorated the nephrotoxicity of the challenge dose of cephaloridine. CPH-only treated rats had severe toxic nephrosis characterised by acute tubular necrosis, and elevated blood urea and creatinine. By contrast, the majority of CPH + MP treated rats had only a slight or moderate toxic nephrosis, and had lower blood urea and creatinine levels compared with rats treated with CPH only, indicating preservation of kidney function. Interestingly, rats treated with CPH + MP had higher urinary enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma glutamyltransferase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase) as well as protein and glucose, compared with rats treated with CPH only. This is taken to indicate that rats treated with CPH only had such marked kidney damage and necrosis that the population of cells able to produce these marker enzymes was significantly and rapidly depleted, but the protection afforded by methylprednisolone allowed CPH + MP treated rats to sustain urinary enzyme output. Effects on urinary glucose and other parameters such as body weight and kidney weight demonstrate interactions between glucocorticoid pharmacology and cephaloridine nephrotoxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)