title: Histological alterations and biochemical changes in the liver of sheep following Echis coloratus envenomation.
abstract: Snake envenoming is a major problem in Al-Jouf Province of Saudi Arabia where most of these envenoming are caused by Echis coloratus which is the highest risk to human and animals in this Province. Little, if any, has been carried out on the histological alterations and biochemical changes in the liver of sheep following snake envenomation. Healthy adult male Ovis orientalis sheep were subjected to E. coloratus envenomation in an attempt to evaluate the histological alterations and biochemical changes in the liver. E. coloratus venom elevated glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride and total bilirubin while cholesterol was reduced. The histological alterations were mainly pyknosis, karyorrhexis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, necrosis, fatty changes and hepatocytes atrophy. Sinusoidal dilatation, Kupffer cell activation, amyloidosis, portal vein thrombosis, partial glycogen depletion and hepatic architecture distortion were also detected. The findings revealed that E. coloratus venom produced biochemical changes and histological alterations in the liver of the envenomated sheep that might affect the functions of this organ severely.
authors: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Jouf University, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Bashir M
authors: BM
authors: Jarrar
keywords: Amyloidosis; Echis coloratus; Hepatotoxicity; Histological alterations; Sheep; Snake venom
references: Isr J Med Sci. 1993 Apr;29(4):239-50
references: 8491579
references: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1992 Sep-Oct;86(5):565
references: 1475836
references: Aust Vet J. 1998 Mar;76(3):195-8
references: 9578756
references: Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 1996 Jul-Sep;7(3):309-12
references: 18417949
references: Histochemistry. 1984;80(1):97-101
references: 6321405
references: Wilderness Environ Med. 2005 Spring;16(1):16-21
references: 15813142
references: Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1995 Apr;52(4):314-7
references: 7741167
references: Vet Hum Toxicol. 1995 Feb;37(1):62-3
references: 7709596