Effects of russell's viper venom on renal functions in selenium-supplemented rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to study effects of intraperitoneal injection of 0.9 mg/kgํ BW Russells' viper venom (RVV) on renal hemodynamic and renal function and effects of the venom on mitochondrial activity in selenium supplemented rats. The study was carried out on male Wistar rats, 90-110 gBW. The animals were divided into nonselenium-supplemented group and group of rats supplementation with 8 micrograms selenium daily for consecutive 40 days. After supplemental period, the animals were divided into 4 groups ; Group I : control gruop ; Group II : selenium supplemented group ; Group III : Russell's viper and Group IV : selenium supplemented rats given Russell's viper venom group. After 40 hours of RVV envenomation, packed cell volume was decreased in group IV (P<0.05) and group III but did not change in group II. Mean arterial blood pressure in group III was not affected but there were trend to decrease in group II and IV. Pulse pressure was apparently increased in group IV (P<0.05). The heart rate was markly increased in both group III and IV (P<0.05). Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were decreased in group III while there was trend to increase in group II. In group IV renal plasma flow was significantly increased (P<0.05), however, glomerular filtration rate showed trend to decrease when compared to group I. The renal vascular resistance was increased in group III but there were trend to decrease in group II and IV. Fractional excretion of sodium and chloride were slightly decreased in group III and IV while fractional excretion of potassium was slightly increased in group III but decreased in groups II and IV. In group II fractional exeretion of sodium was slightly decreased while plasma sodium concentration was slightly increased. The urinary titratable acid and ammonium excretion were not differently among groups. In view of mitochondrial activity, mitochondrial state 3 respiration was decreased in group III. The increment in both mitochondrial state 3 and state 4 have been observed in group II and IV. The mitochondrial respiratory control index value were not significantly different among groups. These results indicated that after 40 hours of RVV envenomation would produce minor changes in the systemic circulation while decrease in renal blood flow was still observed. the supplementation of selenium did not affect to changes in systemic circulation. Selenium supplementation would promote bleeding tendency and would increase in renal blood flow. Russell's viper venom chaused canges in mitochondrial activity by decreasing mitochondrial state 3 respiration. The increase in mitochondrial activity induced by selenium supplementation has been noted.