The nephrotoxic action of Russell's viper (Vipera russelli) venom

Sixteen rabbits were injected s.c. with 2 LD50 doses of Russell's viper venom. Kidneys from 10 rabbits that died after envenomation were examined by microdissection and light microscopy. Nephrons from five animals showed destruction of the proximal tubules with normal distal tubules. Nephrons from three animals were normal throughout, while those from two animals were destroyed. In the in vitro experiment, kidney slices from normal rabbits were incubated with varying dilutions of Russell's viper venom, Russell's viper venom and antivenom mixture, antivenom alone or saline controls, at 37 degrees C for varying time intervals. Scattered areas of tubular damage were found in kidney tissues incubated in 5 mg/ml Russell's viper venom for 2 hr. This damage was prevented by antivenom. Abnormal appearances were not seen in kidney tissues incubated with antivenom alone or saline. In the present study, direct nephrotoxic action of Russell's viper venom was observed both in the in vivo and in vitro tests, however, part of the damage in vivo could be of an ischemic nature.