Sub-acute Nephrotoxicity of the alien Cassiopea andromeda (forsskal, 1775) jellyfish venom, in rats

Nephrotoxicity is considered as a major toxic effect of some jellyfish venoms. A population of Cassiopea andromeda was observed in the Nayband Bay, nearby Assaluyeh, from Bushehr province- Iran, in spring 2014. It was the first record of this invasive species in Iran. In the present study, crude venom from the Persian Gulf upside-down jellyfish ‘‘Cassiopea sp. for the sub-acute nephrotoxicity, was studied.MethodThe sub-acute nephrotoxicity of the crude venom from the alien C. andromeda jellyfish was performed in the rat at three doses of the crude venom (0.0125, 0.025 and 0.05 μg/ml/day), within 21 days after exposure. For assessment of the venom on renal tubule, morphometric of light micrographs such as means of small and large diameters of renal corpuscles, distal and proximal convoluted tubules, collecting duct, thick and thin segments of henle loop, and changes in the thickness of urinary filtration barrier were analyzed using Image Tool software. The diameters of kidney tubules were also considered.Results and discussionThe intraperitoneal LD50 value of venom was estimated the 104.0 μg/kg B.W., in male mice. The mean diameters of renal corpuscles, proximal convoluted tubules, distal convoluted tubules, collecting duct, henle loops, thick and thin segments in the test groups (0.0125, 0. 025 and 0.05 μg/ml) were dose-dependently increased in all groups. However, it was significant individually, in the highest dose compared to the control group (p <0.05). Histopathological examinations of the rat kidney tissue indicated that there were different demonstrable abnormalities and alterations in the microscopic examinations in comparison to their control groups, especially at a higher dose of 0.05 μg /ml/day.ConclusionIn conclusion, venom from the Persian Gulf upside-down jellyfish had significant sub-acute nephrotoxicity effects on the rat kidney. The jellyfish crude venom contains compounds that may affect renal corpuscles, proximal convoluted tubules, distal convoluted tubules, collecting duct, henle loops and segments also Histopathology of kidney tissue.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sub-acut ، Nephrotoxicity ، Cassiopea andromeda ، jellyfish ، Histopathological examinations