Pancreas ultrastructural alterations in mice inoculated with Tityus discrepans (Buthidae) venom

The symptoms of scorpionic envenomation in mice appear almost immediately a fter intraperitoneal injection and are manifested by great agitation, hair bristling, accelerated respiration, salivation and lacrimation, vomits and diarrhoea. In this work we intend to correlate those clinical manifestation s appearing in response to the toxic aggression by Tityus discrepans venom, to the cellular or subcellular alterations produced in the mouse pancreas, probably similar to those damages found in envenomed humans. To evaluate p ancreas subcellular response to Tityus discrepans venom, male C57/B1 adult mice were randomised into two groups: envenomed were intraperitoneally inje cted (hypochondrial left region) at a dose of 5 mg/Kg weight and controls r eceived saline solution. Samples after preparation were studied in a Hitach i-300 transmission electron microscope. The most relevant ultrastructural c hanges in pancreatic tissues were an increase in the nuclear heterochromati n, with a corresponding decrease of euchromatin. In the cytoplasm, rough en doplasmic reticulum exhibited zones of oedema, losing its organised aspect. The secretion granules presented smaller electron density and variability in dimensions. Ar higher magnification a nucleus with picnotic appearance, with indentation of its perinuclear cistern was observed. There was a mitoc hondrial degeneration, with destruction of;he mitochondrial matrix and auto phagic vacuoles in its interior. At 48 h the lesions became intensified, wi th an evident increase in the intercellular spaces.