title: The effect of Gaboon viper venom on iron exchange in the rat.
abstract: Plasma iron turnover (PIT) has been measured by means of 59Fe in rats treated with the haemorrhagic venom of the Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica). Venom was administered on 3 occasions over a period of 9 days and after this time PIT had fallen from 1045 micrograms/kg/day in normal animals to 449 micrograms/kg/day in envenomated animals. Plasma iron half-life was markedly increased from 64.8 min to 417.6 min and this change was associated with a reduced uptake of 59Fe by the liver. However, marrow and spleen uptake of 59Fe was normal, as were the red-cell indices, MCH, MCV and MCHC. There was a slight reduction in total red-cell numbers and haemoglobin concentration as a result of the mild internal haemorrhage induced by the venom. It is concluded that Gaboon viper venom produces a marked disturbance of iron handling by the liver without an associated change in erythropoiesis. The mild haemorrhage was insufficient to produce a microcytic hypochromic anaemia. The results of the study provide further confirmation of the belief that standard ferrokinetic measurements give only limited information on erythropoietic status.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001810:Blood Volume; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006207:Half-Life; D006400:Hematocrit; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014757:Viper Venoms; D007501:Iron