Cytopathic Effect of Snake (Echis Carinatus) Venom on Human Embryonic Kidney Cells

Background: snake venom from echis carinatus induces hemorrhage and necrosis locally at the bite site and acute renal failure (arf) as a consequence of morphological and functional alterations in glomerular and tubular cells. it is not clear if arf results from a direct cytotoxic effect on renal epithelia or from a renal ischemia due to systemic hemodynamic disturbances. this work investigated the in vitro effect of echis carinatus crude venom, using cultured human embryonic kidney (hek 293) mono layers as a model to see the cytopathic effect of echis carinatus venom. methods: the effect of echis carinatus snake venom on hek 293 cell viability was determined by mtt assay and neutral red uptake assay. the integrity of cell membranes was determined through ldh release and was measured with the ldh kit. morphological changes of endothelial cells were also evaluated using a phase contrast microscope. results: in mtt assay, crude venom induced dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on hek 293 cells, which was confirmed by neutral red assay. crude venom caused changes in the integrity of cell membranes as determined by increases in ldh release. conclusions: based on the results obtained in the present study it may be concluded that the damage induced by echis carinatus venom on kidneys is probably related to direct effects, as well as indirect effects including hypotension, hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria, which may lead to acute renal failure (arf).