Histological and ultrastructural studies on the liver of mice after treatment with single dose of LD50 Naja naja snake venom

Histopathological and ultrastructural changes in liver tissues following intraperitoneal (i.p.) single LD50 of Naja naja snake venom (0. 055μg/g) body weight were studied. Tissues were obtained for histological and ultrastructural studies at 3 h and 24 h time intervals following injection of venom.Material and methods: A total of 18 adult male albino mice were used; divided into three groups; each containing 6 rats: First group: as control.Second and third group: treaded with i.p. single LD50 of Naja naja snake venom (0. 055μg/g) body weight , sacrificed after 3 and 24h respectively.The liver of the control and treated mice were dissected out for histological and ultrastructural examinations .Results: Histopathological and ultra structural degenerative effects in the form of vacuolar degeneration, hydropic degeneration , lymphocytic infiltration , Kupffer cells hyperplasia , mitochondria were condensed darkly stained in most of the hepatic cells, lipid droplets were noticed in venom treated mice liver. Karyolysis and karyorrhexis were also seen. . Conclusion: snake-envenoming causes several disorders such as intrahepatic hemorrhage , liver necrosis and hepatotoxicity.