Histological changes in the liver of rats under the influence of Vipera berus berus venom

Abstract

Animal venoms contain a whole complex of compounds, among which there are peptides, proteins, as well as other organic molecules and salts. Their toxins are able to cause pronounced disturbances in the functioning of physiological systems, leading to the appearance of pathological conditions, complications, or even death. The aim of the research is to study the histological changes in the liver of rats under the influence of Vipera berus berus venom. Experimental studies were carried out on white non-linear male rats. The animals were conditionally divided into two groups – a control and an experimental group of 10 individuals in each. Experimental rats were injected intraperitoneally with a semi-lethal dose (LD50) (1.576 mg/g-1) of Vipera berus berus venom in saline solution. Animals of the control group were injected intraperitoneally with only saline solution. Rats were removed from the experiment 24 hours after exposure to the venom, anesthetized by cervical dislocation. Liver samples of animals of all groups were taken for microscopic examination. Histological preparations of the liver were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histological preparations were studied using a SEO SСAN light microscope. To identify the key enzyme of the citric acid cycle – succinate dehydrogenase, histochemical studies were performed according to the Nakhlas method. To study the features of glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes, sections were stained using Schiff's reagent, after pretreatment with iodic acid (PAS reaction) in Shabadash's modification. An immunohistochemical research method was used to detect a subpopulation of CD86+ cells in the liver of experimental animals. Under the influence of Vipera berus berus venom, the development of alterative changes in the liver parenchyma and vascular disorders were microscopically revealed. The appearance of foci of leukocyte infiltration was established, which indicates the development of inflammatory processes. A histochemical study of the content of succinate dehydrogenase in the liver of animals injected with Vipera berus berus venom showed uneven activity of the mitochondrial enzyme in the lobules. A histochemical study of glycogen in hepatocytes of the liver of rats exposed to Vipera berus berus venom showed a decrease in the content of trophic inclusions. An increase in the population of CD86+ cells indicates reactive inflammatory processes observed in the body as a result of the action of components of Vipera berus berus venom.