TNF-α+ expression in the kidneys of rats 1 and 3 hours after the injection of the venom of the scorpion Leiurus macroctenus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/2414-4533.2026.3.16687Keywords:
venom, scorpions, kidneys, immunohistochemistry, morphology, TNF-α+ marker, inflammation, ratsAbstract
The aim of the study: to investigate the expression of the immunohistochemical marker TNF-α+ in the kidneys of experimental rats after injection of venom from the scorpion Leiurus macroctenus.
Materials and Methods. The study used 15 white male laboratory rats weighing (200±10) g. The animals were divided into three groups: a control group (5 rats), in which no venom injection was performed, and material was collected 1 hour after saline injection; and two experimental groups (5 rats each), in which histological material was collected 1 and 3 hours after venom injection, respectively. The venom of scorpions of the Buthidae family, genus Leiurus, species Leiurus macroctenus was administered to animals once intramuscularly (0.5 ml of venom solution previously dissolved in saline; 28.8 μg/ml; LD50=0.08 mg/kg). We euthanised rats by carbon dioxide inhalation. Kidneys were isolated at 4 °C immediately after euthanasia. To assess the regulation of the immune response and inflammation in kidney tissue, we used immunohistochemical staining with a panel of specific markers, particularly TNF-α+.
Results. Intoxication with the venom of the scorpion Leiurus macroctenus causes focal expression of TNF-α+, mainly in the proximal tubules of the kidney nephron 1 h after the start of the experiment as a local response to the initial phase of acute toxic stress. Three hours after the introduction of scorpion venom, immunohistochemical staining with antibodies to TNF-α+ revealed a sharp increase in immunoprecipitation in kidney tissue: a high positive reaction was observed in renal corpuscles, and a moderate reaction to this pro-inflammatory cytokine in peritubular interstitial areas.
Conclusions. Within 1–3 hours after introducing scorpion venom, early signs of an immune response are detected in kidney tissues: focal, mainly weak or moderate TNF-α+ expression is detected, indicating the initial initiation of the inflammatory process.
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