Morphological, morphometric and histochemical analysis of the large intestine of rabbits intoxicated with Solanum glaucophyllum (duraznillo blanco)

ZANUZZI CN, BARBEITO CG, ORTIZ ML, FONTANA PA, PORTIANSKY EL, GIMENO EJ

Poisoning by plants, mycotoxins and related toxins

CAB International

Año: 2011; p. 441 - 447

Solanum glaucophyllum is a calcinogenic plant responsible for enzootic calcinosis of ruminants in South America, a disease that causes considerable economic losses. This plant contains high levels of 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 as glycoside derivatives in its leaves. Little is known about the possible effects of high doses of vitamin D on the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, we analysed the morphological and morphometric changes as well as the histochemical and lectinhistochemical carbohydrate pattern in the colon and rectum of rabbits intoxicated by this toxic plant. Rabbits were were experimentally intoxicated per os with 125 mg/animal of powered Sg leaves twice a week until they were killed. Five of them were killed fifteen days after the beginning of the intoxication, whereas the other five were left for other fifteen days. Five more animals were intoxicated for 15 days but killed after forty-five days (probably recovered group).  Colon and rectum lamina propria and submucosa of both intoxicated groups appeared moderately hypercellular, oedematous, with lymphangiectasia which in more severe cases extended up to the muscular layer. In colon the most remarkable changes were observed in the parameters of the crypts of the recovered group, since the area, perimeter, length and width significantly increased. Neither the thickness of the intestinal wall nor muscular layer was significantly affected between experimental groups. In the rectum the area, perimeter and length of crypts were slightly reduced in I1515 group, but the change was not statistically significant. Neither PAS nor AB technique results showed differences between the studied groups. The lectin histochemical study revealed differences in the carbohydrate composition of both intestinal sections. In this work we described histopathologycal and morphometrical changes on large bowel under S. glaucophyllum intoxication. The modifications on the glycosilation pattern may attribute a new role for vitamin D as a regulator of the intestinal glycosilation.