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Cellular and subcellular changes in muscle, neuromuscular junctions and nerves caused by bee (Apis mellifera) venom

A Rodríguez-Acosta1, L Peña, H J Finol

  • 1Section of Immunochemistry, Tropical Medicine Institute, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. rodriguf@camelot.rect.ucv.ve

Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology
|August 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Bee venom (Apis mellifera) causes significant damage to neuromuscular structures in mice. Electron microscopy revealed muscle fiber atrophy, altered reticulum, and damaged neuromuscular junctions, indicating high toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Muscle Biology

Background:

  • Bee venom is a complex biological mixture with known toxic and therapeutic properties.
  • Understanding the specific effects of bee venom on neuromuscular systems is crucial for both toxicology and potential therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ultrastructural changes in cervico-scutular muscles and neuromuscular junctions following Apis mellifera venom injection in mice.
  • To determine the toxicity of bee venom on neuromuscular integrity at the cellular level.

Main Methods:

  • Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine biopsy specimens of cervico-scutular muscles from mice injected with crude bee venom.
  • Analysis focused on muscular fibers, sarcoplasmic reticulum, neuromuscular junctions, and myelinic nerves at various time points post-injection.

Main Results:

  • Bee venom induced varying degrees of muscle fiber atrophy, increased intermyofibrillar spaces, and alterations in tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum.
  • Significant damage was observed at the neuromuscular junctions, including variable synaptic vesicle numbers and irregular synaptic clefts.
  • Myelinic nerves showed vacuolization, and evidence of muscle segmental necrosis and mitochondrial damage was present.

Conclusions:

  • Apis mellifera venom is highly toxic to neuromuscular structures.
  • The observed lesions in muscle fibers and neuromuscular junctions indicate a direct toxic effect of bee venom on nerve and muscle tissue.

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