EFFECT OF WALTERINNESIA-AEGYPTIA SNAKE-VENOM ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OFRAT RENAL TISSUE

Male albino rats were prepared for intraperitoneal injection of saline and saline solution of Walterinnesia aegyptia venom at a dose of 0.04 mg/animal. Biopses from the subcapsular region of the renal cortex we re processed for electron microscopy after 1 and 2 h (V1 and V2 groups ) to detect early (direct) changes induced by the venom. Delayed (indi rect) changes were expected after is and 24 h (V3 and V4 groups). The V1 group showed minimal ultrastructure changes in the form of increase d tubular pits and vesiculation. Their microvilli were oedematous. In late envenomation (V2, 3 and 4 groups) more changes were depicted: inc reased tubular pits, marked vesiculation and vacuolation with microvil lar atrophy. Slight epithelial separation occurred in the V1 group whi le it was marked in other groups, which exhibited mitochondrial altera tions in the form of swelling, increased matrix density and cristolysi s. There was material of variable electron density in tubular cells. T he effect of the venom on tubular cells varied from V1 to other groups , while there were insignificant differences between V2, V3 and V4 gro ups. It can be concluded that the venom has a direct cytotoxic effect on cellular components, while consequently caused the previously menti oned ultrastructural variations.