title: Liver ultrastructural pathology in mice envenomed with Uracoan rattlesnake (Crotalus vegrandis) venom.
abstract: In South America rattlesnake venom activities have not been entirely characterised. Some studies have shown haemorrhagic, myotoxic, and neurotoxic effects as manifestations of envenoming in experimental animals and humans. Biopsy specimens were obtained from liver and immediately fixed in situ and observed in Hitachi H-500 and H-7100 electron microscopes. In this work the ultrastructural analysis of experimental mice liver showed hepatocytes with increased lipid droplets content and significant vacuolation in areas of their cytoplasm limiting with the Disse space. Lysosomes and altered peroxisomes exhibiting a very dense electron content were also evident. Mitochondrial pleomorphism including cup-shaped and ring-shaped mitochondria were frequently found. The cristae were scarce or absent in the majority of mitochondria observed. The rough endoplasmic reticulum showed a preferentially disposition lining the outer mitochondrial membranes. In some section glycogen particles were scarce and lipofuchsin granules could be observed. Red blood cells showed endothelial cell adherence and, in many instances, the liver sinusoids were observed plugged with aggregated red blood cells. In conclusion, using an animal model that probably correlates well with the pathological effects found in envenomed humans, we have shown the severe hepatocellular alterations caused by this venom.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Acosta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pulido-Mendez
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Finol
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Girón
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aguilar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D017839:Crotalus; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
chemical_list: D003435:Crotalid Venoms