Study on the effect of an anti-coagulant agent (heparin) on renal injury in Japanese rabbits induced by habu snake (Trimeresurus flavoviridis) venom
Mizuta, T.
Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi 78(6): 365-384
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-254X PMID: 3666659 Accession: 006530997
Study was made on the effects of heparin administration on glomerular proliferatve changes in Japanese rabbits induced by intravenous injection of crude Habu snake venom. I. Changes in the glomerulus after administration of crude Habu snake venom in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w. 1) Cystic lesions took place 24 hours after crude Habu snake venom administration in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w. Within the cystic lesions polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, fibrin strands and erythrocytes were observable. 2) A week after the venom administration hypercellularity was seen occurred in and around the cystic lesions. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells and fibrin strands were yet observable at this stage. 3) After 2 weeks segmental hypercellularity was noticed in the glomeruli. Fibrin strands were not observable at this stage, however. II. Changes in the glomerulus as a result of concurrent administration of heparin (2,000 units/kg. b.w./day) and crude Habu snake venom in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w., introvenously. 1) Cystic changes occurred after 24 hours and fibrin strands, erythrocytes and polymoprhonuclear leukocytes were seen present within the cystic lesions. The changes and their severity in the glomeruli were similar to those observed in rabbits administered with the venom in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w., 2) Glomerular change after a week was mononuclear cell-related proliferative one which was evidently less severe as compared with the change observed in rabbits administered with the venom in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w. After 2 weeks segmental hypercellularity was observable in apparently fewer number of glomeruli as compared with the number of the affected glomerulus observed in rabbits administered with crude Habu snake venom in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w. Fibrin strands were hardly seen in the glomeruli after a week through 2 weeks. 3) Preventive effect by heparin administration on proliferative changes in the glomeruli of rabbits given the venom subcutaneously in the dose of 2,000 units/kg. b.w./day seemed to be inferior to that in the glomeruli of rabbits administered with the venom intravenously in the dose of 2,000 units/kg. b.w./day. 4) Observations by immunofluorescence antibody method using FITC-conjugated antirabbit fibrinogen antiserum showed that fibrin strands deposition in glomeruli was scantier in crude Habu snake venom plus heparin-administered cases than in cases given the venom only in a single Habu snake venom plus heparin-administered cases than in cases given the venom only in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w. 5) Evaluations with respect to serial platelet counts and plasma fibrinogen level performed throughout this study, there were not significant differences noticed between crude Habu snake venom administered group and the venom plus heparin administered group. 6) Quantitative study in urinary protein excretion in rabbits administered with crude Habu snake venom in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg. b.w. and in those given the venom plus haprin showed almost identical quantity of urinary protein output as well as hematuria in both groups after 24 hours, while the urinary protein output strikingly decreased in the latter group after a week and thereafter.