The effects of Macrovipera lebetina venom on mice

The aim of this study is to reveal the effects Macrovipera lebetina venom - one of the two most venomous (the other one is Montivipera xanthina) snake species in Turkey - histopathologically on liver, kidney and heart tissues of mice. The venom was injected into the tail veins of male mice at three different doses (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg kg(-1)). The animals were dissected 2 h after the injection, and their liver, kidney and heart tissues were examined histologically by light microscopy. Results of histopathological examination showed, degeneration, mononuclear cell infiltration, vacuoles around the nuclei and sinuzoidal congestion in livers; cellular degeneration, deformation in the structure of the glomerulus, intertubular congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration in the kidneys; and vacuoles around the nucleus, necrosis, congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration in heart tissues.