Histopathological changes in avian kidney caused by Bothrops insularis (jararaca ilhôa) venom and a phospholipase A2-containing fraction
M.A. da Cruz Höfling1, C.C.L. Paronetto1, J.C. Cogo3, L. Rodrigues-Simioni2 and A.C.F. D'Ábreu1
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biology, 2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP) and 3Institute of Research and Development, University of Vale do Paraíba, São José dos Campos (SP), Brazil
Offprint requests to: Dr. Maria Alice da Cruz-Höfling, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Instituto de Biologia, UNICAMP - Caixa Postal 6109, CEP 13083-970, Campinas (SP) Brasil. e-mail:hofling@obelix.unicamp.br
Summary. The histopathological changes induced in avian kidney by the intramuscular injection of Bothrops insularis (jararaca ilhôa) venom and its phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-containing fraction were examined. Acute experiments (3 h and 24 h) with B. insularis crude venom (20 µg and 80 µg) or its PLA2-contaning fraction (10 µg and 40 µg) resulted in significant structural damage to the kidneys of 5-12-day-old chicks. Histopathological analysis indicated that the venom and its fraction acted on the renal tubules and glomeruli. The morphological changes, although widespread, varied in intensity from cell to cell, and from tubule to tubule in venom-injected chicks. The tubular and glomerular changes produced by the venom and its PLA2-containing fraction may be the result of a direct cytotoxic effect potentiated by ischemia-related disturbances in the regional hemodynamics. The venom and its fraction affected more segments along reptilian-type nephrons than along mammalian ones. This divergent sensitivity to the venom and its fraction may reflect the species-specific characteristics of B. insularis snake, an example of geographical isolation influencing its diet which is almost exclusively avian. Histol. Histopathol. 16, 185-195 (2001)
Key words: Avian,
Kidney, Histopathology, B. insularis snake venom
DOI: 10.14670/HH-16.185