Histological changes in rat liver tissue induced by Philodryas patagoniensis colubrid snake venom

MARÍA ELISA PEICHOTO; PAMELA TEIBLER; LUZ GUAIMÁS MOYA; LAURA LEIVA; OFELIA ACOSTA

Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires)

Otro; XXXVII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental; 2005

Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental

Little is known about the systemic effects caused by Philodryas patagoniensis colubrid snake venom. For that reason, in this work we studied the histological changes in rat liver tissue after i.v. administration of this venom. Thus, it was administered through a polyethylene catheter introduced into the iliac vein of rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate and heparinized. Four rats were used for each dose: 0.23, 0.45 and 0.90 mg of venom. Aliquots of blood were withdrawn at different time intervals for enzymatic determination of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase levels. After 2 hr the animals were sacrificed, and samples of liver were taken to microscopic examination. Histological observations showed hydropic degeneration. Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increased levels were demonstrated. Our results indicate that P. patagoniensis venom causes histological changes to liver tissue after i.v. administration. These changes are initiated at early stages of envenomation and may be associated with a behavioral or functional abnormality of the liver during envenomation. It is hoped that these results may provide new insights into potentially more efficacious treatments for colubrid envenoming.