NEPHROTOXICITY OF NOTEXIN IN EXPERIMENTAL MICE

Notexin, a well known neurotoxin, derived from tiger snake venom, was shown to have direct nephrotoxic properties in experimental mice. A si ngle subcutaneous dose of 1.38 mu g/kg body weight of notexin produced renal tubular and glomerular damage within 24 hours. Renal damage inc reased in severity proportional to the dose of notexin injected. At a high dose of notexin, thrombotic ''spherules'' were found in glomeruli . These thrombotic spherules have not been previously reported to be a ssociated with notexin or snake venoms.